The summer holidays are a great opportunity for children to have fun but they can also be at risk while playing, especially when swimming or on the beach. To help reduce some of those dangers, the Child Safety Campaign, an initiative of Sharjah’s Supreme Council for Family Affairs, has issued a series of awareness tips to keep children safe when they are near water.

The campaign urges parents and guardians to watch their children at all times and not leave them unattended, especially when they are near swimming pools or in the sea, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. The campaign cautions parents that it is better to be safe than sorry, particularly for toddlers and children who are new swimmers or do not know how to swim at all.

The Child Safety Campaign has issued a series of tips and general advice to keep kids safe:

1. Children who cannot swim must wear special buoyancy aids before going near the swimming pool or the sea.
2. Sunblock and sunscreen should be used to prevent sunburn and
3. Ensure that children drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
4. Avoid swimming on an empty stomach or immediately after a meal.
5. Teach elder siblings how to watch younger children and call for help quickly and loudly if an incident occurs or if they cannot find their young brothers and sisters.
6. Place safety equipment near the swimming pool.
7. Parents and guardians should learn basic first aid and artificial respiration techniques.
8. Ensure house doors and any gates leading to swimming pools are closed immediately after children have finished

Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Chairperson of Child Protection Committee, said: “Parents are primarily responsible for keeping their children safe while playing during summer holidays. We urge everyone to take the utmost care about where their children stay and play, whether on the beach, at water parks or private pools at home”.

Al Yafei added: “These guidelines are designed to help parents, elder brothers and sisters and all members of the public to prevent accidents, especially during summer holidays when children have more opportunities to swim, or go to shopping malls, play areas, parks and other areas where there are potential dangers. Through these simple prevention measures, we can keep our kids safe and happy during the summer vacation.”