Ontario is a beautiful place to live, especially in the summer time.
In Ontario, there is no shortage of lakes, rivers, streams and ponds, not to mention swimming pools, to enjoy.
But while having fun is important, it is essential to do so in a safe manner. Even one drowning is one too many.
Regardless of how experienced a swimmer you are, it only takes a few inches of water to cause a drowning. When you are outdoors, sudden changes in tides, heavy undertow, or even momentary lapses in concentration can be dangerous. At the pool, comfort and familiarity with your surroundings can lead to lead to a false sense of security.
There are some very basic steps that you can take to ensure your safety this summer. For starters, never swim alone or in an isolated/unsupervised area.
If you are swimming someplace unfamiliar, always make sure to check the depth before swimming out too far, and consider footwear to avoid sharp objects either on the beach or underwater.
Always make certain you have a friend or buddy with you, and make sure you can see the shore.
If you are swimming at a pool, always obey the instructions of the lifeguard on duty.
Beyond what you can do to keep yourself safe, our government is reviewing all of our recreational water safety initiatives.
We are pursuing an Injury Prevention Strategy, including the “Swim to Survive” program, which is being taught free of charge to Grade Three students around the province. We’ve provided funding to the Lifesaving Society since 2006 to assist with delivery of the program, benefitting more than 45,000 elementary school students.
We are investing in our infrastructure and our future, providing over $20 million to keep 31 TDSB pools open and operating.
And our campaign to encourage boaters of every age and skill level to wear a life jacket at all times while on the open water has been well-received. Remember that any time you head out in a boat, make certain you have at least one life jacket for every person in the boat.