Through the Spring Water Awareness Program, Sharon Nethercott, Conservation Education Coordinator at the SCRCA does an experiment with the class to help students understand the effects of cold water on the body. Students perform dexterity and temperature tests before and after briefly holding their hand in an ice bath then make connections to how it would affect their ability to respond in an emergency situation (SCRCA)
Last week, Plains Midstream Canada donated $5,000 to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) to offer support to its Spring Water Awareness Program.
This program teaches children about the hazards of spring floodwater and the importance of avoiding dangerous situations.
During the spring thaw, local watercourses can pose a greater threat than other times of year.
Familiar streams and creeks children may play in or around during the summer months can present dramatically differently conditions in the springtime when the snowpack is melting – there can be unstable ice, rising water levels, strong currents, and the water is cold.
SCRCA officials say the region is dotted with streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and ditches, all of which can become hazardous.
“It is vitally important that children understand the reasons why they must stay away from the high, cold waters during the spring thaw,” stated Sharon Nethercott, Conservation Education Coordinator at the SCRCA, in a media release.
“Accidents are often preventable through education and increased awareness.”
“We are very proud to support the development of a stronger community by investing in important causes and services where our employees live and work,” said Ian Forster, Community Relations Advisor at Plains Midstream Canada, in a media release.
“It’s an honour for our organization to assist with SCRCA’s Spring Water Awareness Program. Educating kids on the risks of cold temperatures and floodwater during the spring thaw will help promote safe enjoyment of our region’s watercourses for generations to come.”
“This generous sponsorship from Plains Midstream Canada has enabled us to offer this important safety program free-of-charge to local schools,” stated Brian McDougall, General Manager of the SCRCA.
“We are greatly appreciative of their support.”
It is essential that parents inform their children of the risks of playing near bodies of water and provide appropriate supervision.
Safety tips for families and children:
– Always tell an adult where you are going
– Always have a friend with you, they can seek help if you get in trouble
– Stay away from lakes, streams, ditches, and river banks; their waters can be deep, fast flowing, and cold – it is extremely difficult to swim wearing winter clothing and these dangerous waters can quickly cause hypothermia
– Never play around dam structures or culverts; they can have strong water currents that can be hard to escape
– Never play near or on ice without adult supervision; ice on rivers and lakes can be dangerous and unstable at this time of year
– If you have permission and are with a parent on or around water, wear a Personal Flotation Device – even adults need to wear one
