Water Safety Week is underway
The Canadian Red Cross has launched its annual Water Safety Week campaign, which runs from June 5-12. It focuses on the importance of following basic safety protocols near all bodies of water.
With warm temperatures in the north, a lot of people are cooling off by making their way to the water. That's why the Red Cross says the week is a good reminder for people to always be aware of potentially dangerous situations.
“Make sure no one is entering the water by themselves, that there is always adult supervision,” said Shannon Scully-Pratt, First Aid program representative with the Canadian Red Cross.
"Take your kids around the pool and make sure they know where the deep end is and the shallow end and they know how to get out if they fall in."
Scully-Pratt said each year, roughly 500 Canadians die from water-related causes. She said the majority are drownings involving children under the age of five and males between the ages of 15 and 30.
“Children like to wander off when it’s not expected,” she said. “Then you have those 15-year-old teenagers who are feeling peer pressured that might be going cliff jumping or rock jumping. We see them taking extra risks and that’s not something we want to see because you don’t know what’s at the bottom of that river.”
The Greater Sudbury Police Service has been patrolling waterways and making sure people are staying safe while in their watercraft.
Officials said even though there have been no fatalities this year, there have been some close calls.
“We’ve had some incidents where both the operator and passenger have fallen out of the vessel and the vessel has run them over,” said Const. Kevin Tremblay.
"So, it’s very important to be familiar with the waterways, be competent in your operation. If you’re not sure, slow down and take things easy. Get to know your vessel before making any trips."
The Red Cross said it’s important to have safety devices nearby at all times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.