Family with safety tips to make wise choices
By Red Cross Canada : Drowning Prevention Key Messages
Every summer people go to the lake or pool to cool off and have fun, but sometimes they make unwise choices which result in tragedy. Please review the following information to prepare you and your family with safety tips to make wise choices, prevent injuries and to be safe in, on and around the water.
Did you know?
•An average of 400 Canadians drown each year and drowning is one of the leading
causes of death for Canadian children ages 1 to 4.
•42% of all children ages 5 to 14 who drowned in the past ten years did not have an adult watching them at the time.
•41% of Canadian parents polled rank their swimming skills as fair,weak or as a non-swimmer.
• 40% of parents do not know CPR.
Supervision : Stay within sight and reach of children
• Supervise children when in, on and around the water! Stay within sight and reach of children.
•Lifejackets,PFDs, arm floats, inner tubes and other inflatable toys are not a replacement for adult supervision.
Protection : Get trained and wear sun protection
•Get trained: Teach kids, teens and adults to swim! Enrol in a Red Cross Swim program and Red Cross First Aid and CPR course near you.
•Sun exposure: Wear adequate sun protection – sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing will help keep you safe from sunstroke. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Lifejackets/Personal Flotation Devices
(PFDs): Wear your lifejacket
•The best lifejacket or PFD is the one you wear
•Zip up and buckle up! Most people who drown in boating accidents weren’t wearing a lifejacket or weren’t wearing it properly
Awareness: Check it out before you go
•Before entering the water- stop, look, go slow! Check for depth and watch for hazards.
• Monitor the weather and environment for any changes
•There is only one type of water safe for diving – deep and clear
•Inexperienced, weak or non-swimmers should wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) when near the water.
Safe Boating and Fishing: Be a Safe Boater
•Alcohol and boating don’t mix, boating while impaired is illegal. It’s not“cool”, it’s dangerous
•Overloaded boats are dangerous
•Have safety equipment on board (an extra lifejacket/PFD, a radio, flashlight, flares, first aid kit)
Help: Learn when and how to get help
Get Trained: Learn to swim and take a first aid and CPR course. Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
• Prepare ahead of time when boating–always tell someone who you are going with, where you are going and when you will return.
• If in trouble in the water, call for help, roll on to your back, kick your feet, move your arms and aim toward shore.
Education: Learn how to be safe and teach your children
•Discuss water safety information and wise choices around the water.
• Ensure you and your children have swimming and water safety training.
Security: Secure your pool – no matter what size
•Fence it in: Ensure your pool is fully fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
•Cover it up: Install a cover with a lock on your hot tub and/or backyard pool.
Empty it: Drain wading pools and small inflatable backyard pools when not in use.
Canadian Red Cross / Croix-Rouge canadienne www.redcross.ca
