Water safety tips for the whole family

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This week is National Drowning Prevention Week and there is no better time to review water safety tips that could help keep you and your family safe on the water this summer while still having fun.

Keep an eye on children

In Canada, drowning is the leading cause of death for children and the second leading cause of death for 15 to 34-year-olds. Children should always be supervised by an adult who knows how to swim and how to respond in the event of an accident. Keeping them within arms’ reach, even when they’re playing in a backyard pool, means you can respond quickly if an accident happens.

If your child needs a little extra help when swimming, also ensure that they are wearing proper floatation gear such as a lifejacket.

Stay sober and vigilant

Make smart choices before going in, on or around the water, especially open water. Alcohol consumption is a factor in many water-related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impair balance, judgment, and reflexes.

Take swimming lessons

Learning how to swim or even learning how to save a life in a CPR course can mean the difference between life and death in a serious situation. In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety. You can save a life, yours, and someone else’s by taking a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.

For more water safety tips, visit ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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