5 things you can do to save kids from drowning

Summer is back and a lot of you might be spending more time in your pool or going for a swim at the beaches, but Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has urged families to pay attention to their children’s safety around swimming pools and while at the beach.

In Qatar, drowning is a leading cause of death and serious disability in children, and the number of child deaths from drowning is rising annually, according to Kulluna Health and Safety Campaign chairman Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen.

Ninety percent of cases of drowning involve children aged 10 or under, with 70 percent younger than four years old.

So to prevent your children from drowning, here are 5 things you could do to ensure their safety.

Constant supervision is key. Do not allow children into the pool or beaches by themselves without the supervision of adults. Always keep an eye on them.

Teach your children how to swim. If they can master the art of swimming at an early age, the chances of them drowning can be reduced greatly.

Life jackets can save lives. If you are doubtful of your kids' ability to swim, make sure they wear safety gears like life jackets. Sometimes it is safe for kids to wear life jackets even if they know how to swim, especially in natural water bodies like the sea.

Air-filled toys are not helpful. Do not substitute proper life jackets with air-filled tubes or toys. While these toys may be fun, they are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Use the buddy system. Always swim with a buddy. You may also look for swimming sites that have lifeguards on duty whenever posible.