The hot summer holidays are usually times to enjoy with family but it’s important to avoid the heat-waves which normally result in extreme activities around dams, rivers and oceans.
The Department of Water and Sanitation urges citizens to observe safety procedures around rivers, dams and oceans across the country during the festive season and beyond.
Most inland holiday makers will be flocking to the coastal areas after a stiff COVID-19 lockdown that came with both physical and mental constraints.
For many, particularly first-timers to the beach, it will feel like having freedom of a lifetime after spending a long period of time under lockdown.
The freedom could be heartwarming, but should at all costs be enjoyed with a full sense of responsibility.
At certain beaches, sirens will be sounded in the event that a shark is spotted.
If you are in the water when this happens, for your safety, leave the water quickly but calmly.
Visitors should at all times take note of beach safety precautions indicated on municipal notice boards, with life guards placed in strategic areas to monitor and enforce beach safety procedures.
Flags are erected in the sand near the water-edge indicating areas that are marked safe for swimming.
Bathers are not permitted to swim beyond these flags as they may be trapped in split currents and swept out to sea.
Rivers, lakes and dams are also popular spots to cool down in most deep rural areas of Mzansi.
But children and young people have lost their lives due to lack of knowledge and ignorance to obey safety measures around water.
It is of essence that activity around lakes, dams and rivers happens under adult supervision.
Before any attempt to enter the water, it is important to check the strength of the water flow.
If caught in a fast-flowing river current, travel feet first in order to protect the head and body from serious injuries.
Before going to the dam check daily or weekly dam levels released by the Department of Water and Sanitation as your guiding tool for safety.
Avoid sunbathing, picnicking or camping in an area which may become flooded due to dam operations.
Stay off dam structures unless an area is clearly marked for use by the public.
Public swimming pools are supervised by lifeguards, nevertheless accidents still occur.
It is of quintessence to follow orders of pool lifesavers and obey safety notices.
Always check the depth of a pool before diving-in or swimming.
Stay away from dams, rivers and sea water when intoxicated.
- Marcus Monyakeni is a communications specialist at the Department of Water and Sanitation