DID YOU KNOW….that in Canada, drowning is the No. 1 cause of unintentional injury deaths among children 1-4 years of age, and the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 years of age?

DID YOU KNOW…that risk-taking 18-to 24-year-olds continue to have the highest water-related death rate of any age group in Canada?

DID YOU KNOW…that a child can drown in only a minute?

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY SAFE….

Always swim with a buddy.  Most drowning victims can swim but not all can take care of themselves when they get into trouble.

Wear a life jacket…most drowning victims never intend to get in the water.  Trying to put your life jacket on before you capsize is like trying to buckle your seat belt just before you have an accident!

Swim in supervised areas – lifeguarded pools and beaches or under direct supervision of an adult.                                                                                                                                                   

STAY SAFE AROUND THE POOL:

• Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
• Completely fence the pool and install self-closing and self-latching gates with latches positioned out of reach of young children.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
• Keep toys away from the pool area. A young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall into the pool area.
• Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool when the phone rings.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

DID YOU KNOW…that every July, the Lifesaving Society of Canada raises awareness during the third week of the month on water safety and drowning prevention?  Learn more by visiting their website or the website of the Canadian Red Cross.