Children main victims as drownings increase

The number of drowning cases in Dubai have more than doubled in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, The National reported on Saturday.

Of the 36 people who drowned in the first six months of this year, a quarter of them were children under the age of 18.

Major Ahmed bu Ruqweba, acting head of the Dubai Rescue Police, said drowning cases involving youngsters are a big concern. “Keeping children safe is the main challenge for us. Leaving children unsupervised at a beach or pool can be deadly.”

More than 70 per cent of the drowning incidents registered in Dubai last year involved children, according to Dubai Police statistics quoted by The National.

“Negligence is a main factor behind drowning cases. In many incidents drowning occurs when a child just decides to take a swim at the beach or pool while the parents are preoccupied with something else,” said Maj bu Ruqweba.

Pools in residential buildings, hotels, offices and parks are monitored by the Public Health and Safety Department of the Dubai Municipality.

The department’s regulations state that a certified lifeguard must be present when a pool is occupied. They also require that safety equipment such as first aid kits and flotation devices must be available at all times.

But as the number of buildings with swimming pools in Dubai increases, there is immense pressure on the civic authority to ensure that the rules are being followed, he said.

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