Ensuring the availability of safety equipment in home swimming pools safeguards children and reduces drowning accidents, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has advised.

"Securing swimming pools, slip-resistant floors, availability of floating and rescue devices are important safety factors," the MoI tweeted.

In an accompanying infographic, the MoI has stressed that adherence to swimming pool safety instructions will protect children from drowning.

"Provide floating and rescue devices and ensure their validity," the advisory says. "Do not leave children alone without supervision. Secure your home swimming pool with barricades, gate with a lock and non-slip floors."

With Covid-19 restrictions being gradually lifted and people heading to beaches for a dip to beat the summer heat, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) had also recently issued an advisory on how to stay safe while going for a swim. Besides visits to beaches, HMC’s ‘Safety tips and advice for parents and kids’ also apply to swimming in pools.

In its advisory on social media, HMC said people should check the weather before going to beaches to avoid strong winds and high waves that may pose a danger. Safety instructions should be followed while swimming at beaches or in a pool, the advisory states. “Always watch children closely while swimming and make sure they swim only in designated areas,” it continued, adding that children must be taught how to swim in swimming training centres.

HMC had also reminded people to wear a life jacket while swimming or other safety equipment. Further, the advisory stresses the need for people to learn how to perform the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique in order to save others. Beaches around the country were reopened on July 1 as part of Phase 2 of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

While announcing the reopening of public beaches, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment had stressed the importance of complying with precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of all. Among other measures, the public was advised to maintain social distancing, use life jackets while swimming and not to allow children to use equipment in play areas, besides keeping the beaches clean during their visits.

Meanwhile, the MoI had reiterated that “adherence to safety requirements during sea trips protects one from risks and ensures an enjoyable time for sea goers”. “We recommend that you check the weather condition before heading to the sea,” said an MoI advisory on social media. According to a recent decision of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, families are allowed to rent boats and yachts in groups not exceeding 10 people in this phase of the lifting of restrictions.

Accordingly, the MoI had reminded people of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines for marine activities as well as the preventive and precautionary measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.