10 June 2023 , 10:51
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There are few things more refreshing than a cool dip in the back garden paddling pool on a hot June day, and it can also help to keep your excitable little ones occupied for hours on end.
As fun as it can be to get out and about splashing in the paddling pool, however, parents do need to be vigilant of the very real dangers this innocent summertime activity can pose.
Now a water safety expert has warned parents of young children to be extra careful when it comes to paddling pools, urging them not to make a potentially deadly mistake.
The mistake is all too easy to make (Stock Photo) (Getty Images)Lee Heard, charity director at Royal Lifesaving Society UK (RLSS) told The Sun: "With the imminent heatwave warning affecting parts of the UK this weekend, we know we'll see lots of families either heading to the water or enjoying water at home with paddling pools and swimming pools in the garden."
Of course, it's important to keep water safety in mind at all times, no matter how relaxed you may feel in the welcome sunshine.
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Heard explained: "Sadly drowning can happen very quickly, so it's vital to ensure that you do not leave your child alone when they are in or near water.
"In order to ensure your child’s safety when they are in or around water, never leave them unsupervised."
He went on to urge parents to make sure they empty the pool as soon as their children are done with it, even if they think their little ones might fancy another dip later.
Once emptied, parents should then turn the pool upside down, meaning water won't end up collecting in it and creating a potentially deadly hazard.
According to Heard, 26 children aged 14 and under died due to accidental drowning in the UK last year, with drowning being one of the most common causes of accidental death.
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