Need to be cautious with kids around pools

The boy was near the swimming pool when he slipped and fell in. Pic/Kanakia Space Pvt Ltd

One can only feel for the family of the four-year-old boy from Malad, who slipped into the swimming pool of his building and drowned. A report in this paper stated that the little boy was playing with his friends after his swim session. He apparently came in running towards the pool, slipped in and adults near the pool did not see him. He drowned in a few minutes.

As summer vacation comes up, there will be a rush at various pools across the city. This is especially true with pools opening up, as the pandemic lockdowns are lifted. This is not to point fingers at anyone for the tragedy referenced. There are some takeaways from drowning incidents across, not just this particular one.

Do not let little children out of sight near any water bodies. Keep the play area completely separate, they should not be allowed to run or play near pools as they can slip. Lifeguards need to be especially alert even post swim sessions, if children are in the vicinity, which very often happens to be near pools in buildings.

As summer is in full force, there will be swim sessions in lakes and ponds. This is not advisable at all, as currents are deceptive and many a time, waters look deceptively calm.

Even learning lessons need to be taken under strict supervision with qualified coaches. We have read so many reports of youngsters drowning even in shallow waters cavorting around sea shores on beaches as they lose track of distance from shore or are pulled in.

Housing societies must have signage ‘no playing' around the pool and if possible, have a small, collapsible fence which can be put up during off-swim hours. Most important though is vigil. Security and guards must have their antennae up.