On July 22, 2024 Village of Belcarra Council proclaimed July 21st-27th, 2024 as National Drowning Prevention Week.
Canada faces a major problem – and a preventable one: over 450 people die every year from drowning. In fact, the drowning burden is so great around the world that the United Nations General Assembly passed the UN Resolution on Drowning Prevention (A/75/L.76) and named July 25th of each year as World Drowning Prevention Day.
The Lifesaving Society is a national, charitable organization working to prevent drowning and reduce water-related injury through our training programs, WaterSmart® public education, drowning research and aquatic safety standards. The Lifesaving Society certifies Canada’s National Lifeguards.
National Drowning Prevention Week is one of the Society’s leading public education initiatives, with events taking place across the country to focus media and community attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention. Fraser Health and the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon Branch have teamed up to share essential tips on how people can be water smart and protect themselves and their loves from the risk of drowning. People are encouraged to:
- Take swimming lessons
- Keep children within arm’s reach and supervise them in and around the water
- Wear a lifejacket
- Swim under lifeguard supervision
- Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities, including boating
- Seek emergency medical care immediately if someone is experiencing drowning
If every Canadian followed these steps, we could greatly reduce Canada’s drowning rate.
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Additional seasonal resources can be found at the links below: