Dock with Mount Monadnock

Photo from freeimages.com

This week is National Summer Safety Week.

Lewis Smith is with the Canada Safety Council.

He says the theme this year is water safety.

Smith says more needs needs to be done to prevent drowning.

He cites statistics from the Lifesaving Society of Canada that in 2014 there were 308 preventable water related deaths in Canada.

Smith says the most preventative measure you can take is to wear a Personal Flotation Device or PFD.

He cites stats that say 82% of drowning victims are male and that may be because men are showing bravado by not wearing a life jacket.

Other tips include don’t swim alone and stay within arms length of your child when they’re in or near water because the situation can change rapidly.

Smith points out the law states you don’t have to wear a PFD you just have to have one on board your boat.

He points out conditions can change rapidly and you may not have time to put it on so do so earlier.