The summer holidays are in full force. The hot weather has warmed up our lakes, making beaches a popular destination for many Manitobans. While there’s a lot of fun to be had, some very real dangers come along with children playing in or near water – be it a lake, river or a backyard pool.
The scary reality is that drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for Canadian children. Incidents in the water can happen very quickly. Every year on average, nearly 60 children drown across Canada. However, there are many things you can do to keep children safe around water:
- Be sober, be aware, and closely supervise your children at all times
- Make sure your children are wearing properly fitted personal floatation devices
- Educate children about the dangers posed by water and how to remain with an adult at all times
- Employ the buddy system – never swim alone, in a lake or pool
- Swim only in designated areas
- Familiarize yourself with the beach rules, as they vary
- Call ahead and find out about water and wind conditions
It should be noted that historically, the 3rd week of July records the highest numbers of drowning deaths in Canada.
The RCMP offer these tips to help you stay safe. Please enjoy your backyard pools and the great lakes we have in Manitoba by making responsible and safe decisions around water.
