An Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition flag now flies high at the administration building, marking National Drowning Prevention Week.
It’s the first time that Elgin County has honoured the week through a ceremony and proclamation, largely thanks to the work of Coalition Co-Chairs Briar McCaw and MaryKate Townsend.
McCaw notes how blown away they were with the turn out.
Elgin County has joined the Lifesaving Society and our local coalition in declaring July 16th to 22nd National Drowning Prevention Week, with a goal of bringing awareness to the loss of life from accidents which occur around water.
Something McCaw and Townsend know all too well.
The Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition stress that it is important to continue conversations regarding water safety and drowning prevention with those of all ages. Townsend says education is a great form of prevention.
Every year about 500 Canadians die in water related incidents, with a number of contributing factors in most of these deaths.
The Lifesaving Society reminds us of the following:
• Always supervise children around water.
• Don’t swim alone.
• Boat sober.
• Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device when boating.
• If you don’t know how to swim learn how to swim. Lessons are available for everyone.
• Know your limitations. Minimize risk by taking appropriate safety precautions.
With the summer season in full swing, an evening information session being hosted tonight at Shaw’s Ice Cream from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., hopes to help share this important messaging adds McCaw.
Be sure to stay up to date with the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition here.
Written by: K. Freeman
