Abu Dhabi urge vigilance to prevent child drownings in home pools
Authority also stressed the need for active supervision, even if children can swim
Abu Dhabi Police and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority have warned against child drowning incidents in home swimming pools. They highlighted three primary causes: lack of supervision, leaving children unattended near pools without securing the area, and failure to comply with safety guidelines. These risks are especially prevalent during the summer months, as families flock to beaches and pools to cool off in the rising heat.
Authorities emphasized that drowning incidents can occur within minutes if safety procedures are not followed, underscoring the importance of vigilance and caution.
As part of its summer awareness campaign, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense outlined several key safety rules to reduce child drowning incidents at home pools. These include never leaving children unsupervised near swimming pools, using life vests (not relying on floatation devices such as inflatable rings), installing secure fences and gates around pools, and removing toys from the water to prevent children from being lured toward it.
The authority also stressed the need for active supervision, even if children can swim, as constant monitoring is essential. Child safety, it reiterated, requires continuous attentiveness.
Tragic drowning incidents in recent years
The UAE has witnessed several tragic home pool drownings in recent years. In 2018, two Emirati children—aged 18 months and two-and-a-half years—drowned in a family pool in the Mirdif area of Dubai. In 2019, twin Emirati boys (also aged two-and-a-half) drowned in a home pool in Ras Al Khaimah after they snuck in unnoticed. In another heartbreaking incident in 2022, a 20-month-old girl drowned in her family’s pool, also in Ras Al Khaimah.
5 key pool safety guidelines
Abu Dhabi Police emphasized that community awareness and social responsibility are the first line of defense against drowning incidents, urging the public to follow safety instructions and practice positive behavior to ensure everyone’s well-being.
The police outlined five safety guidelines for protecting children around pools:
Install a secure fence around home pools to prevent unsupervised access. Pool areas should have non-slip flooring, locked doors, fixed ladders, and handrails along the perimeter.
Avoid distractions—parents should not be preoccupied with phones or virtual activities while children swim, as drownings can occur in just a few minutes of inattention.
Use proper swimming gear, including floatation rings, equipment, and life vests.
Learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)—parents, caregivers, older children, and pool owners should know how to perform CPR immediately before emergency teams arrive.
Teach children water survival skills, such as basic swimming, treading water, and how to stay near the pool edge or on the shore.
“Safe Summer” awareness campaign
Abu Dhabi Police and the Civil Defense Authority recently launched the sixth edition of the “Safe Summer” campaign, running until the end of August. The campaign aims to raise awareness of safety measures and precautions necessary for a safe summer.
The initiative focuses on educating the public about how to avoid summer-related accidents. It sends targeted messages to parents, urging them not to leave children unattended in swimming pools or locked in vehicles while shopping, to prevent suffocation incidents.
The campaign also encourages families to protect children from excessive use of electronic games that can promote aggression, addiction, and social isolation.
Civil defense: Safety standards for pools and beaches
The Civil Defense General Command warned of the increased risk of child drowning due to high summer temperatures and the influx of families to beaches and pools. The authority emphasized the importance of taking all necessary precautions to secure children during water activities.
Neglect is a major cause of drowning accidents, especially when children are not closely supervised. The Civil Defense outlined five main causes of such accidents:
Lack of supervision
Swimming too far from the shore
Inadequate knowledge of first aid
Swimming in dangerous areas
Delays in notifying lifeguards or emergency services
Key recommendations include:
Not allowing children to swim immediately after meals
Avoiding distractions
Ensuring children wear proper life vests
Following safety guidelines
Monitoring weather and sea conditions through official sources
Having safety equipment on hand during swimming
Emergency protocols for child drowning incidents
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority provided a set of procedures to follow in the event of child drowning, whether at public beaches or home pools, as part of its public safety education efforts.
At public beaches with lifeguard services, it is essential:
Not to panic
To immediately call emergency services at 999
To continue monitoring the drowning person even after they reach a flotation device, until professional help arrives
At beaches without lifeguard coverage, it is advised:
Not to panic and call 999 immediately
Not to jump into the water unless trained in rescue techniques
Use a flotation device if available, or throw anything that can help the person stay afloat
Avoid unnecessary risks
Provide first aid if trained
The National Ambulance also emphasized the importance of taking safety precautions in and around water, listing six drowning prevention measures:
Check weather conditions beforehand
Always wear a life jacket
Learn to swim
Keep children under constant supervision
Avoid swimming when red flags are raised
Swim only in areas where lifeguards are present
Abu Dhabi Police: 6 safety measures for pool security
As part of its awareness campaigns, Abu Dhabi Police cautioned against leaving children unattended in pools and stressed the importance of close supervision to prevent drowning.
The six protective features recommended for home pools are:
Installing secure fencing
Ensuring non-slip flooring around the pool
Locking pool-access doors when not in use
Equipping pools with fixed ladders
Installing handrails along the pool perimeter
Strict adherence to all safety instructions
Parental responsibility under the law
Legal experts affirmed that, under the UAE’s Child Protection Law (Wadeema’s Law), parents are legally responsible if their child suffers a drowning incident at home due to negligence. If such incidents occur at hotels or public parks, these facilities may be held accountable for failing to ensure child safety.
The law prohibits caregivers from neglecting children, leaving them unsupervised, or failing to guide and care for them.
Parents of children involved in drowning incidents at facilities with designated lifeguards may pursue legal action and claim compensation or blood money (diya) in the event of injury or death.
7 Measures to prevent child drowning
Do not allow children to swim immediately after eating
Prohibit unsupervised access to pools
Avoid distractions during swimming
Equip children with life vests and floatation devices
Call for help or notify the lifeguard in case of emergency
Learn basic first aid
Do not allow children under the age of 3 to enter pools
Key Facts:
40% of drowning-related ER visits result in hospitalization (compared to 10% for other unintentional injuries)
Drowning can cause brain damage and long-term disability
Children aged 1–4 have the highest drowning rates in pools
Drowning often occurs when children access pools unsupervised
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 5, and the second leading cause of unintentional death in those under 14, following car accidents.
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