In referring to the case of five-year-old child drowned in private swimming pool yesterday, Gerakan Wanita Deputy Chief, Datuk Ng Siew Lai urged the public to pay more attention on this issue because she found that the awareness on child safety is alarming.

Datuk Ng Siew Lai expressed her sadness on this case and empathized the parents’ grief when she read about the news.

“It is the school holiday now, watery activities may become popular for children. However, it will also increase the risk on the child’s safety. Thus, several precaution steps should be taken seriously to prevent the similar tragedy from happening again,” she added.

Datuk Ng Siew Lai, who is also Penang Gerakan Wanita Chief suggested the parents to enroll their children into talent nurture programs such as swimming or piano classes in order for their children to spend the school holiday in a more beneficial and safer way instead of going to nearby river or sea.

She also suggested the swimming pools management should employ a qualified life guard to monitor the activities around the swimming pool and provide immediate help and rescue when there is critical situation or life-threatening situation.

She also urged the parents to be more aware of their children’s whereabouts because tragedy could happen when people least expect it. They should never leave their children unattended while engaging in watery activities, even for a moment.