The Canada Day long weekend is almost here which means lots of people on the roads driving and enjoying the outdoors.
If you haven’t already, you might check out our March post, (As Spring Arrives, Fire And Driver Safety More Important Than Ever,) where we talk about safe driving and being fire smart. In Canada, the highest number of traffic accidents happen in summer and even with the cooler temperatures and recent rainfall, wildfires continue to be a threat right across the country.
In addition to motor vehicle collisions and fires, one of the top categories for accidental deaths in Canada each year is drowning. And statistics show these water-related deaths are most likely to occur on weekends from May to September in natural bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers. The age groups most affected are men 50 to 64 years old (25%), seniors 65 years and older (22%), and young adults 20 to 34 years of age (21%).
Here are some easy, simple steps we can take to be safe around water:
- Learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
- Build fences that fully enclose pools.
- Supervise children closely.
- Wear a life jacket.
- Learn CPR and basic first aid.
- Know medical conditions of swimmers.
- Know the risks of natural waters.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Use the buddy system.
When it comes to young children, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends the following:
- Babies who can’t sit without support and are too young to wear a portable flotation device (PFD) should always be held by an adult.
- Toddlers should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when they are in or around water. This includes pools, bathtubs, beaches, and other water sources.
- All children should be supervised by an adult when they are in or around water and should never be left alone in a pool or bathtub, even for a moment. The presence of other children does not prevent drowning, as they may not recognize the signs of drowning, or react quickly enough to get help immediately.
- The Lifesaving Society recommends a supervision ratio of at least 1 adult for every 2 young children, and 1 adult for every baby.
Lifejackets are different from personal flotation devices (PFDS)
A lifejacket holds the person wearing it upright and it can turn the person over from face-down to face-up. A PFD will keep a person floating, but not necessarily face-up. The appealing thing about a PFD is that it’s lighter and less bulky than a lifejacket. PFDs also keep people warmer in the water because the foam in the vest is spread more evenly around the body. You can use either a lifejacket or a PFD for a child, as long as it is designed for children.
In Canada, approved lifejackets and PFDs are not available for infants who weigh less than 9 kg (20 lb). There is no safety standard for smaller infants.
At Vanderwell, it’s all about safety, but not only on the job. Just as important is that we apply that safety mindset in our personal lives.
On behalf of everyone at Vanderwell, have a happy and safe Canada Day long weekend!
