This is National Drowning Prevention Week and the Lifesaving Society has released its reminders to prevent water fatalities.
Barbara Byers is the Public Education Director for the Ontario branch of the Lifesaving Society.
Byers says boaters need to remember to always wear a lifejacket and never drink alcohol before or during boating time.
She says the rules of the road apply to boating — you should never drink alcohol in a vehicle or a boat and you should always wear a seatbelt and in this case — a lifejacket.
Stats show 90 per cent of boaters who drown were not wearing a lifejacket.
Byers also notes young children are most vulnerable because they are attracted to water — whether it’s a pool or at the beach.
She says parents should always be within arm’s length of a child and you should restrict their access to the water.
Byers says a child can drown in 30 seconds and its quiet.
Byers says you should always swim or boat with a buddy to ensure your safety.
The latest stats from the Lifesaving Society show more than 400 people drown every year in Canada.
In Ontario, about 140 people drown every year — but Byers says the good news is that number is half of what it was 10 years ago.
