Abu Dhabi police warn against leaving children alone near swimming pools

Authorities have said following simple safety precautions will prevent head injuries and drowning

Abu Dhabi Police have asked parents to be mindful of children and never leave them alone near swimming pools to prevent drowning. Reem Mohammed / The National

Authorities in Abu Dhabi have issued a warning against leaving children unattended in pools and hot tubs.
Abu Dhabi police on Friday urged parents not to be distracted in order to prevent drownings this summer.
"The best prevention method is not allowing children to be alone near swimming pools and hot tubs," said Lt Col Saif Ali Al Jaberi, head of awareness at the Abu Dhabi community police department.
"A child could drown in few minutes without being noticed and unfortunately most cases of drownings are mainly due to negligence by family among other causes including lack of swimming knowledge, water depth, and slippery floors around pools"
He said swimming pools and hot tubs should be closed off to children or surrounded by a fence.

Lt Al Jaberi asked families installing pools at home to follow safety rules that would prevent head injuries.
"Fixed ladders and using swimming equipment like floating rings, tubes and life jackets should also be in place," he said.
Figures released by authorities showed five children died in drowning accidents in the country last year including two Emirati twin boys in a neighbour's swimming pool in Ras Al Khaimah in June.
A two-year-old child drowned a month later in a swimming pool at his relative's home in the Jebel Hafeet area and a 11-year-old boy drowned in the swimming pool of a Sharjah health club.