Keep safe around water with tips for drowning prevention week

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on July 25, 2024.

July 21-27 is National Drowning Prevention Week, and as such, Alberta Blue Cross has partnered with the Lifesaving Society Alberta and N.W.T. to put together a joint media release to share vital tips to keep residents safe.

Roughly 450 Canadians fatally drown each year according to the 2020 National Drowning Report. This week, which also coincides with Canada’s peak drowning period, aims to prevent some of these deaths with a few simple, proactive steps.

“As an organization that is committed to promoting wellness, Alberta Blue Cross has an ongoing focus on injury prevention – and as we are well into summer, we are keenly aware of the danger of drowning and the importance of promoting water safety,” said Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of corporate relations and community engagement with Alberta Blue Cross.

The week focuses on a different aspect of drowning prevention each day, with Sunday and Monday covering fatal and non-fatal drowning, while Tuesday moved into backyard pools and open water safety.

They remind residents that extra care needs to be taken in private pools, as they often do not have a lifeguard on duty, and on average 70 per cent of fatal drownings in Canada occur in open water, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and ditches.

“We encourage you to discuss these important topics with your loved ones throughout the week, and to integrate at least one of these safety measures this summer,” said Madison Lalonde, director of communications and public education with the Lifesaving Society Alberta and N.W.T. “Make prevention key. It could save a life.”

Today’s topic is on swimming competencies, encouraging families to make sure each member can tread water for a minute, knows what to do if taking an unexpected fall into deep water and can swim 50 metres under their own power.

The rest of the week puts focus on supervising children, personal floatation device safety and alcohol and substance use while in, on, or near water, which increases drowning risk.

More information on each topic can be found at lifesaving.org.

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