Make your summer a safe one! This Thursday, May 16 is Canadian Red Cross National Lifejacket Day, an annual campaign to encourage and promote the use of lifejackets and personal floatation devices (PFD’s).
The Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool and Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool are hosting special activities during the week to bring awareness to water safety.
A properly worn lifejacket or PFD is a fundamental safety item for anyone, even strong swimmers, when enjoying outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, or canoeing. It keeps you at the surface of the water during unexpected or unintentional entries into water, reduces the initial impact of a fall into cold water, and can help you and others reach safety.
During designated swims, families can learn how to fit a lifejacket correctly using the “Jump Test”, how to recover from falling into water, and the HELP/huddle position to stay safe in cold water.
Schedule for Wednesday, May 15
- Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool during the After School Swim from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.
- Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool during the After School Swim from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.
Schedule for Thursday, May 16
- Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool during the Parent & Tot Swim from 11:00am to 12:00pm.
These water safety events are part of a promotional campaign by CKRecreation to increase water safety awareness and help families prepare for a safe summer. More upcoming events include the Safe Boating Awareness Week May 18-24, the World’s Largest Swim Lesson June 20, and National Drowning Prevention Week July 21-27.
When it comes to lifejackets or PFDs, close by is not close enough. Choose to wear your lifejacket or PFD and make every boating outing a safe one.
