NEWS RELEASE
THE LIFESAVING SOCIETY
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As a premier waterfront community, it is important for Barrie residents and visitors to be aware of water safety, including drowning risks and water incident prevention.
The Lifesaving Society designates the third week in July as National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) to focus community and media attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention.
In Canada, an average of 500 Canadians drown each year and 60 per cent of the drownings occur during summertime recreation activities. Approximately 166 Ontarians die in preventable water-related incidents annually.
Drowning deaths are most likely to occur during the summer, on weekends, and in natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.
Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury deaths around Canadian children under 9 years of age. Approximately two-thirds of drownings occur just 15 meters from safety and approximately 80 per cent of drowning victims are found not wearing a PFD or lifejacket.
This reinforces the need for continued strong drowning prevention efforts.
Beginning June 30 to Aug. 20, 2017, in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, the City of Barrie’s PFD Loaner Program is being offered at two beaches. High quality certified PFD’s are available for short term loans at Johnson’s Beach and Centennial Beach from on-duty lifeguards 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
For further information and on Water Safety and Boating Safety, as well as Lifeguarding and much more visit the Lifesaving Society.
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