5-year-old drowns in swimming pool at Puppalaguda apartment complex

Hyderabad: A five-year-old boy drowned after he accidentally slipped and fell into a swimming pool at his apartment complex in Puppalaguda in Hyderabad on Tuesday night. The boy was playing near the swimming pool on the third floor of the apartment along with other children when he slipped and fell. The children immediately informed the boy’s father, who brought him out of the pool and rushed him to a hospital, where he died undergoing treatment.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 8:30 pm, and a case has been registered.

Lack of safety measures

The death of the 5-year-old is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety measures in apartments with pools. There are a number of safety measures that can be taken to prevent such accidents, including:

Supervision: Trained security and lifeguards to ensure a safe pool environment by monitoring activities, enforcing rules, and assisting during emergencies. According to residents of a Gachobowli gated community, security makes sure children don’t play near the pool without supervision.

Access Control: Speaking to NewsMeter, Sravani, who lives in a gated community in Kompally said, “Gated communities provide access cards for using the swimming pool. Children below 8 years are not allowed to enter the pool without parents, to avoid untoward incidents. Also, children must wear safety tube rings before entering the pool.”

Physical Barriers: Fences, gates, or walls around the pool area act as barriers, keeping children and others from entering unsupervised.

Safety Signage: Clear signs with pool rules, depth markers, and emergency contact information help residents understand and follow safety protocols.

Emergency Equipment: Apartments with pools should have readily available life-saving equipment such as lifebuoys, life jackets, and first aid kits, enabling quick response in emergencies.

Safety Education: Apartment management should conduct pool safety programs and swimming lessons to educate residents, particularly children, about safety guidelines, swimming skills, and water rescue techniques, promoting overall safety awareness.

Inspections and Maintenance: Regular checks of the pool area and equipment should be done to identify and fix any potential hazards promptly, minimising safety risks.