By 
By Marcus Motshegwa; Communication Specialist for the Department of Water and Sanitation in the Free State.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) urges citizens to observe safety procedures and regulations in and around rivers, dams and oceans across the country during festive seasons and beyond.
Due to the erratic climate change, scotching hot weather conditions are experienced in most part of the country, resulting in extreme heat wave that pushes both young and old to seek shelter either under shade or trees, and even dipping in swimming pools to cool off.
Swimming is enjoyed during this festive period and it is a very relaxing activity in this hot weather. Except at the household and local community pools, swimming is also at the water courses like dams, rivers and oceans. With everyone flocking to water areas the danger around water activities also increases.
Most of inland holiday makers will be flocking to the coastal sea side to relax and have fun at the beach after a year-long fatigue. As a result, it will feel like having a freedom of a lifetime after spending most of the time hard at work pressed with quotas.
Visitors should at all-times take note of beach safety safeguards indicated on municipal notice boards, with life guards placed in considered areas to monitor and enforce beach safety procedures. There are flags erected in the sand near water edge indicating areas that are marked safe for swimming. Swimmers are therefore encouraged to take heed of those flags and should to swim within the marked areas as directed.
The festive mood must at all costs be enjoyed with full sense of responsibility whilst having fun at the oceans. At certain beaches, a siren will go off in the event that a shark is spotted or during dangerous high waves. If you are in water when this happens, it is important to quickly get out of water for your safety, and calmly assist those that are around if possible.
Rivers, dams and lakes are also a spot to cool down in most deep rural areas of South Africa. It is unfortunate that children and grown-ups lose their lives due to lack of swimming ability and also failing to obey safety measures around water.
It is crucial that children should be under a watchful eye of adult supervision or around lakes, dams, rivers and even swimming pools. Before attempting to enter into water, it is important to check the strength of the water flow. If caught in a fast flowing river current, one should not attempt to swim. Public swimming is usually supervised by lifeguards but accidents still do occurs. It is important to follow orders of pool lifesavers and obey safety notices. Always ensure depth in the pool for is suitability before swimming or diving. Frequent check if water is clear of other users before plunging in water to reduce the likelihood of hitting and hurting both you and others in water. Members of the public are also advised to away from dams, rivers and sea water when intoxicated as this will limit one’s judgement or the ability to react in an unexpected water related incident.
