Monday, 6 July 2015

Water safety



National Drowning Prevention Week is  July 19th – 25th    and this year the theme chosen by the Life Saving Society of Nova Scotia  is YOUR LIFE JACKET – CHOOSE IT – WEAR IT RIGHT! .   The goal of the Nova Scotia branch of this national volunteer society is to make Nova Scotia a Water Smart and Water Active province.  I am hoping this blog post will help spread the word on the importance on life jackets.

Globally it is estimated that one million people drown every year and according to the Maritime Drowning Report 25 -29 year olds have an average yearly drowning rate of 3.8 per 100,000.  

 That is only one section of our population however. A young child can drown in less than 2 inches (6 cm) of water so supervision along with prevention is crucial for this age group.  See Water Safety from KidsHealth for handy tips on water and summer safety in general along with first aid instruction.

Boating is extremely popular for all ages and this is where a lifejacket can really mean the difference between life and death. With numerous lakes and the ocean all around us to explore the Safe Boating Guide is there to help you make sure that you are doing everything possible to ensure that this activity is safe for everyone involved.

A lifejacket or personal flotation device is a small price to pay for peace of mind and the safety of yourself, your children and yes, even your pets.  Take the time to choose the right jacket for the right activity, some guidelines are here.  There are so many options now so you are sure to find a product that will suit.  Once you have the proper equipment head out and enjoy the waterways of this beautiful province.  

--Patricia Milner

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