Red Cross reminds parents about water safety
June 8, 2010
It’s Water Safety Week in Canada, June 5-12, and Red Cross Canada is reminding parents to be vigilant at all times when their children have access to water, whether a home pool, open body of water or the bathtub. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian children aged one to four.
The Red Cross notes that learning to swim is important but learning water safety is key to preventing an emergency. It recommends:
- Actively supervise your children at all times. Flotation toys, personal flotation devices and buoyancy swimming gear don’t replace supervision.
- Fence all pools with four-sided fencing and self-closing, self-latching gates.
- Empty portable pools after each use.
Visit http://www.redcross.ca/swim for information on Red Cross Swim and more safety tips.
