Summer is also known as the rainy season and there has been news about people’s cars and homes being flooded, as well as those who have lost their lives.
Floods are highly dangerous and the South African Weather Service has sent out a warning for heavy rains tomorrow in certain areas in the North West, Eastern Cape and Free State.
According to the SAPS, Mpumalanga has experienced 10 deaths as a result of flooding in the past week with Tonga, Hazyview, Mhala and Matsulu being a major concern.
On Wednesday, three children from Tonga drowned while swimming in a dam at Dludluma Trust.
Russel Meiring from ER24 has warned parents to be vigilant in protecting their children form floods.
Here are some tips:
  1. Do not leave your child to cross a stream on their own.
  2. Do not allow your children to play near an open source of water such as a dam, river or drain system.
  3. During the rainy seasons, do not leave your children at home alone, there should always be adult supervision.
  4. Teach your children to not attempt to cross low bridges, but rather stick to higher ground.
  5. Plan appropriately and find alternative routes through higher altitude areas for kids to use when going to school.
  6. Give your child a whistle to blow in case they get swept away so that they can be heard and found.