A two-year-old girl drowned in a pool on a plot in Glen Austin in Midrand on Wednesday, said paramedics.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman said the girl drowned at 1pm on Wednesday. She was the daughter of one of the people who worked on the plot.

The pool was disused, partially filled with water and unprotected by fences or a covering.

Paramedics found her in a critical condition and tried to resuscitate her, placing her on emergency life support to no avail.

Trauma councillors were attending to family and friends of the girl on the scene.

"Traditionally, the numbers of drownings increase over the year-end holidays and sadly it seems a certainty that more young lives will be lost as a result of drownings in unprotected swimming pools before the end of the festive season," Dollman said.

Netcare 911 had attended to over 100 drownings or near drownings in Gauteng between the spring season of 2007 and that of 2008.

Children spent more time at home during holidays and thus the risks of drownings increased.

Dollman urged everyone with a pool, even an inflatable pool, to purchase pool safety products and install them.

"Pool safety products are easy to obtain and the public are encouraged to consult their local Yellow Pages."

Dollman urged people to install safety fences, safety nets and pool covers before the school holidays.

"Be proactive, your actions may well save your child's life," he said.

Sapa