Everyone has a role to play in water safety
Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the opening of pools, beaches, and water parks. Whether you are enjoying a day at the beach or time at the pool, everyone has a role to play in water safety.
Water safety knowledge is essential. Drowning is fast and silent, and most drownings occur between May and September. Prevention is key!
Recently, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Dive, Rescue and Trails Unit, Ottawa Fire Services, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition and OPH came together at Britannia Beach for a community drowning prevention event focused on safety, awareness, and practical tips for residents.
Here are some important water safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
Always keep children within arms' reach↗, in and around the water. Never leave a child alone, whether it is in the bathtub, a swimming pool or any body of water such as rivers or lakes.
Ensure children and weaker swimmers wear properly fitted lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFD) in and around the water.
Don’t swim alone. Always swim with others who know how to swim.
Stay sober. Do not use alcohol, cannabis or drugs when swimming or supervising others in the water.
Keep safety equipment↗ and a phone close to the pool.
Ensure that your backyard pool is not accessible to children by using multiple layers of protection (e.g.: fences, self-closing gates)
Where lifeguard supervision is available, swim in areas where lifeguards are on duty. One percent of fatal drownings in Ontario occur in lifeguarded settings.
Make sure you and your family members learn to swim. Swimming is a life skill that lasts a lifetime.
It’s important to note that unlike pools, open water has additional risks to consider such as weather-related changes, and hidden hazards like rocks or sudden drop offs and fast flowing currents. Always swim between the red/yellow flags, inside the designated swimming areas and ensure to be aware of your surroundings.
Remember water safety is everyone’s responsibility and essential to ensure a safe experience.
For more information on staying safe in and around water and a water safety resource available in nine languages, please visit: OPH Water Safety and Drowning Prevention↗ webpage.