Water safety

Knowledge of water safety is essential

According to the Canadian Red Cross, drowning is a leading cause of death in children. In Canada, an estimated 60 children aged 14 and under drown every year, while another 140 are hospitalized for near drowning. The majority of these deaths occurs in home pools and are preventable. Knowledge of water safety is essential, and learning life-saving techniques is an asset.

Pools

• Surround home pools by four sided fencing (minimum of four feet or 1.2 metres high) with automatic locking gates. There should be NO direct access to the pool from the house or patio.
• Do not place chairs or tables near a pool fence, as these
• could enable a curious child to climb over.
• Completely remove pool covers before entering the water.
• Filtration systems should have proper coverings and be checked regularly.
• Pool maintenance should be done regularly. Store pool chemicals in a safe place out of the reach of young children.
• Make sure hot tubs have secure covers that children cannot open. Never leave an uncovered hot tub unattended.
• Rules should be clear and enforced: NO pushing, NO jumping on others, and NO running around the pool.
• Remember to tie up long hair or wear a bathing cap to avoid getting it caught in drains.
• Surround large temporary pools by a fence.
• Empty kiddie pools when not in use.
• Always have an emergency life buoy, first-aid kit and cordless phone close by.

Swimming

• Ensure your child has adult supervision at all times when around the pool.
• Young children should wear properly fitted personal floatation devices. This also applies to older children who are non-swimmers. Floatation devices should never be used as a substitute for adult supervision.
• Make sure children swim in an area for which they have the appropriate skill level.
• Children and teens should be encouraged to take swimming lessons. Montreal coroner, Jacques Ramsay suggested in his report of August 15, 2008, mandatory swimming lessons for children between the ages of 5 and12 years old.

Diving

• Never dive into lakes or areas with unknown depth or shallow water. A minimum of about 3 metre-deep water is recommended.
• The 3-metre (high) diving board should only be used after proper instruction and with trained supervision present.
• Backyard trampolines are not recommended and should never be used as a launch pad into a pool.

Boating

• Everyone must wear properly-fitted life jackets (regardless of swimming ability) that meet approved safety standards.
• Check weather conditions ahead of time. Being on a lake in stormy weather is not advisable.
• Ensure the boat is well maintained and has emergency equipment.
• Never overload or stand in a boat.
• Children should not go in a boat alone. Skilled supervision is essential.
• Only get out of the boat once it is docked.

Boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal!