OPP officials allege: The Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind parents and caregivers to remain vigilant this summer as each year, tragic and avoidable water-related fatalities occur across Canada.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death for Canadian children ages one to four.
A small child can disappear in seconds and can drown in only a few centimetres of water.
Typically, these drownings occur in backyard pools, toddler pools or at the beach.
Lambton OPP would like to remind parents and caregivers that:
– The absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drownings – always watch children actively around water.
– Backyard pools are especially dangerous for small children – ensure adequate barriers are in place, such as four-sided fencing along with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
– Avoid diving in home pools and always enter the water feet-first, unless the individual is properly trained and is sure that the water is deep enough.
– In open water, be cautious about swimming in currents and know what to do if caught in a current – Never underestimate the power of currents.
– A PFD is useless if it is not being worn or worn properly – Always properly wear an approved lifejacket or PFD for non-swimmers.
– Don’t use alcohol or drugs while in or on any body of water.
– Learning water safety-such as how to prepare for an emergency, and what to do if one should occur is key to preventing an emergency in or on the water.
For more water safety tips, visit www.redcross.ca.
