Never leave children alone, police warn after drowning incident

Abu Dhabi - Four children drowned in a fishpond at a farm in Al Bahia area of the capital this week

The Abu Dhabi Police have warned parents not to leave children unattended near swimming pools or beaches. The warning came after four children, including two brothers, drowned in a fishpond at a farm in Al Bahia area of Abu Dhabi.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the boys, including a 12-year-old Emirati and three Arabs aged 10, 11 and 12, from the same family were playing around the big pond that is used for raising fish.
The pond, which is about 30 metres long, 10 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep, is located in the middle of the farm, around 45km away from the Abu Dhabi city.
The Abu Dhabi Police said on Monday evening that Al Rahba Police Station received information from residents about four boys who had drowned after falling in a water pond at a farm.
Police rescue teams and paramedics rushed to the area. Divers jumped into the pond and pulled the boys out of the water. Paramedics provided the necessary first aid to them before they were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they later died.
The boys were buried at Baniyas graveyard on Monday afternoon.
The Abu Dhabi Police have urged parents to always monitor the movements of their children and to always cover the ponds or holes located near their homes to avoid the occurrence of such tragedies in the future.
"Children should never be allowed to play near water ponds or tanks," said the police. "Adults should keep their eyes on children every second they are near the water."
Safety tips for children:
> Always monitor the movements of children at home and whenever you go outside with them
> Don't allow children to play in areas outside your sight
> Cover all water tanks and holes near homes
> Fence the water ponds and dams near homes or in farms and always ensure that they are out of reach of children
> Don't allow children to play near water ponds
> Don't leave children unattended near swimming pools or beaches
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi