Drowning Rate Increasing in Ontario This Year

Brampton | Ontario | Latest News |

Published July 17, 2017 at 12:48 pm

Here are some tips to stay safe on the water.

Here are some tips to stay safe on the water.

According to the Lifesaving Society, a Canadian organization dedicated to preventing drowning and water-related injury, 54 people have drowned in Ontario thus far in 2017.

That number is up nine per cent from all drowning deaths in 2016.

The Lifesaving Society says that common risk factors for drowning include alcohol consumption and not wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or a lifejacket.

It’s National Drowning Prevention Week from July 16-22, and now’s as good a time as any to brush up on water safety.

With major risk factors for drowning in mind according to the 2017 Ontario Drowning Report, the Lifesaving Society offers residents these tips on their website:

  • If you’re not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far – always supervise children.
  • Boat sober. Alcohol consumption is a factor in almost 40 per cent of boating-related fatalities.
  • Always wear a Lifejacket or PFD.
  • Lifejackets don’t work if you don’t wear them. Not wearing a Lifejacket or PFD was a factor in 88 per cent of boating deaths.

Approximately 166 water-related deaths happen in Ontario annually. According to the Lifesaving Society, those are all preventable.

For what’s happening in Brampton for National Drowning Prevention Week, click here.

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