The South African Police Service (SAPS) has called on parents to supervise their children when they are swimming or playing next to swimming pools or at lakes.

Gauteng police spokesman Superintendent Eugene Opperman said at least 13 children had drowned in swimming pools and rivers since 1

December 2006.

"The drowning happened because many children are allowed to go swimming without supervision by their parents or people who are old enough to be guardians," he said.

Superintendent Opperman, from the SAPS water-wing and emergency services in Gauteng, said they had attended to about 69 emergency cases of drowning.

He said lack of fences around swimming pools or swimming pool nets had contributed to the number of children drowning.

Superintendent Opperman said other factors that contributed towards drowning were alcohol and failing to take precautions when playing next to swimming pools.

"Water is very nice and fun to play in, but parents should keep an "eagles eye" on their children in an effort to prevent them from drowning," he said.

Some of the measures that could be taken to prevent drowning include:

* supervising children when they are swimming;

* putting nets on the pool when it is not being used;

* ensuring that the entrance leading to the pool is locked to prevent children from playing next to the swimming pools; and

* avoid getting into the deeper levels of the river

In an effort to promote safety in pools, police and emergency services have embarked on an educational campaign aimed at educating people to take care during swimming.

A group of emergency personnel, including the SAPS water service, have been deployed in various public swimming pools and lakes to attend to any emergencies.