It just doesn’t feel like summer until you’ve gotten into – or onto – the water.
And with Burnaby’s prime location between the Fraser River and Burrard Inlet, plus two beautiful urban lakes, we’ve got more than our fair share of water to enjoy.
Sadly, far too often, summertime enjoyment of the water ends in tragedy for Canadian families.
A recent report from the Canadian Red Cross, which compiles 20 years of data about water-related fatalities, sends some sobering reminders about the need to play safe around water.
The report shows that children aged one to four are most at risk, accounting for more than 20 per cent of all deaths stemming from unexpected falls around water. Those falls, by the way, happened in all sorts of places – along shorelines, at poolsides and by wharfs.
“A drowning can happen very quickly, and it is critical that children have lifejackets on whenever they are near the water,” said Rick Caissie, director general of prevention and safety with the Canadian Red Cross.
Parents, please, take those words to heart: Be sure your children are protected around water, even if you’re sure you’re watching them. A fall can happen in the blink of an eye.
And don’t be too complacent about your own safety, either.
On average, 525 people drown in Canada every year – and that’s people of all ages.
Not surprisingly, for people over 15, alcohol is a contributing factor in nearly 40 per cent of those deaths.
Not to say you shouldn’t enjoy a cold one, but be smart about it – and don’t put yourself or anyone else at risk while you’re doing so.
Enjoy the water, by all means.
But please, stay safe.
We don’t want to write a story about you becoming another statistic this summer.
