MANITOULIN—With summer now here, the Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety coalition is once again reminding those that enjoy spending time on and around the many lakes, rivers, and streams to “Be Water Safe! Be Water Smart.”
“Water safety is a shared responsibility. Drowning can happen quickly and silently, which is why it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to always supervise children when they are near water, whether it’s a pool, beach or lake. Let’s stay vigilant, stay together and ensure everyone can enjoy water activities safely,” said Stephanie Gray, a public health nurse with Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).
Drowning and near-drowning incidents involving children in Ontario remains a public health concern. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five, and 93 percent of those children have absent or distracted supervision. Backyard pools are the greatest risk for children, accounting for one third of drownings for children under the age of five. The coalition emphasizes the critical need for constant supervision and preparedness when children are near water to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Water safety is not just about teaching kids to swim, it’s also about staying alert and actively supervising children. It is recommended that children should always be within arm’s reach of a responsible adult when near water, whether in the bathtub, a pool, river, or lake. Parents and caregivers need to stay close, always keep their eyes on the child, and never rely on flotation devices alone as substitutes for supervision. They should also ensure that pools and areas near the water are not accessible to children, for example, by having fences around pools.
In addition to active supervision, the following water safety tips are being recommended to help keep children safe: make sure pools are fenced in and the gates are closed and secured when the pool is not in use; teach children to swim at an early age, let swimming lessons be one of their first organized sports; be a role model, show children how to be safe around water; actively watch children and non-swimmers around water; put your phone or device away and enjoy the moment; ensure children wear properly fitted life jackets, when boating or around water. In Canada, you must have an appropriately sized lifejacket for each person on board a watercraft. When possible, choose swimming areas that are lifeguard supervised; remain sober while spending time around water or providing supervision; use barriers, like pool fences, to restrict access to areas containing water; be familiar with CPR and register for a course.
Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety is a collaborative effort between the municipality of Central Manitoulin, the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the township of Assiginack, the Town of Gore Bay, Assiginack Family Health Team, Mnaamodzawin Health Services, Ontario Provincial Police, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board Paramedic Services, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Services, and PHSD to improve water safety on Manitoulin Island.
Ms. Gray explained, “the Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety coalition was formed in the fall of 2023. Everyone came together as local partners to form the coalition, and we decided as a group to be a three-year plan. Last year our theme for the summer was swimming and boating safety, this year it is staying alert and keeping kids safe around water.”
“Next year’s message will focus on the importance of life jackets and wearing personal flotation devices,” continued Ms. Gray. “It is nice to have this coalition and local partners involved. And we have a good group with municipalities, health agencies, paramedicine, police, Ministry of Natural Resources working together with a common interest.”
For more information on water safety, visit phsd.ca/safety or call Public Health Sudbury and Districts’ Manitoulin Office at 705-370-9200 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200).
