500 Drownings Per Year In Canada
Source: OPP
Date: Sun Jul 15 03:38:40 MST 2018
Approximately 500 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is one too many. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury related death for Canadian children. Approximately 60 children drown in Canada every year. Approximately 140 children suffer from near-drowning related incidents yearly.
There are things that you can do to ensure that you and your family members stay safe this summer:
Learn to swim,
Enroll children in swimming lessons,
Actively supervise children when they are in or around the lake or pool,
Install proper pool fencing if you own a pool,
Ensure that children are wearing life jackets at all times,
Get trained in First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Children in the five to 14 year age group are at an increased risk because they may overestimate their own skills, underestimate the depth of the water or strength of the current, or respond to a dare from a friend.
If you would like more information about water safety and drowning prevention, you may wish to visit www.parachutecanada.org and www.lifesavingsociety.com.