Water Safety Week: June 5 – 12, 2010
Watch children around water at all times
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian children aged one to four. Parents and caregivers must remain vigilant at all times when children have access to water, as the absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drownings.
Here are some simple steps the Canadian Red Cross recommends to make the water safer for children this summer:
- Actively supervise your children at all times in pools, bathtubs, ponds and any kind of water
- Flotation toys, personal flotation devices, lifejackets or buoyancy swimming gear do not replace adult supervision
- Children should never be responsible for supervising other children
- Fence all pools with four-sided fencing and a self-closing, self-latching gate
- Empty portable pools after each use
Swimming skills alone aren't always enough to save a life. Learning water safety is also key to preventing emergencies.
Learn more
- Drowning is a major danger for young children. A study by the Canadian Red Cross shows infants and toddlers aged 1-4 years have among the highest drowning rates in Canada.
- Drown-proofing toddlers: safe practice or false security?
- Checklist: is your PFD or lifejacket the right choice?
- Diving and safe water entries. Before diving, it is important to think about how you'll enter the water, and to make wise choices.
To learn more about water safety, please contact your local Canadian Red Cross office.
This tip has been brought to you by the Canadian Red Cross in collaboration with Public Safety Canada.
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