“Children among those at greatest risk of drowning” reports Lifesaving Society as part of National Drowning Prevention Week.

Ottawa , July 22, 2008 – During National Drowning Prevention Week ( July 19 to 27, 2008 ), the Lifesaving Society urges all parents to be “ Water Smart ” when in, on or near bodies ofwater this summer.

Nationally, there were 19 water related fatalities involving children aged 0 – 4 in 2004 (most recent national data available), up slightly from 16 fatalities just a year earlier. “With statistics like that, it's clear that our message still needs to be heard, given that these tragedies continue to occur just a few meters from safety,” states Nicole Liddell, the Lifesaving Society's National President-Elect.

Janice Fulton of Peterborough , ON knows first-hand just how quickly a drowning incident can develop, as she herself was instrumental in providing lifesaving CPR to a 16 month old girl who had gone missing, only to be found not breathing after being pulled from a nearby creek.

“Accidents like this take only seconds,” states Fulton, who later received the Commissioner's Citation for life-saving in recognition of her efforts from OPP Deputy Commissioner Chris Lewis during a gala event held at Casino Rama in Orillia this past June. Potentially deadly situations can be avoided if parents followed the Lifesaving Society's water safety motto to keep toddlers “Within Arms Reach”.

Swimming skills need to be taught. Swimming skills are not innate. They are learned and they are very difficult to master without proper instruction. Children can drown in as little as 10 seconds and in only a few centimeters of water. Contrary to popular belief, drowning victims rarely call out, wave or signal for help.

Water Smart Tips to keep Children safe at the Cottage, the Beach and at home
Always Stay Within Arm's Reach – if you are not within arm's reach of your child when they are in, on or around water you have gone too far.
Make sure your child is Wearing a Lifejacket when playing near water.
Inflatable Toys = Extra Fun and Extra Supervision – Inflatable toys can blow away from shore, tip over and trap your child underneath or suddenly deflate. Providing extra attention whenever your child uses inflatable toys can help keep activities fun and safe.
Restrict Access to Your Pool and open water – Ensure that there is a fence around the entire perimeter and always keep your pool gate locked when your pool is not in use.
Drain Backyard Wading Pools After Use – A child can drown in just a few centimetres of water. Be mindful to position wading pools so they will not fill up with rain water when not in use.
Be Prepared and take some lifesaving and first aid training – Know what to do in the event that something happens.
Boat Safe - Choose it and Use it! Wear a Lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device – simply having a lifejacket in your boat is not enough, be sure you and your child are wearing them. Get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) to be sure you meet Federal regulations and know the rules of the water.
Lock all doors when you are inside the cottage and secure low windows that a child might crawl through.
Establish rules for around the water.
All members of your family should be able to master the three basic skills of the Swim to Survive standard – Roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute and swim 50 meters.

National Drowning Prevention Week is an annual, public education and drowning prevention initiative of the Lifesaving Society with the goal of reducing the number of water related fatalities and near drowning incidents through the promotion of key water safe messages, including:

Monday July 21, 2008 “400+ Drowning Deaths a Year Still Too Many”

Tuesday July 22, 2008 “Children Among Those at Greatest Risk of Drowning”

Wednesday July 23, 2008 “Alcohol and Water a Potentially Deadly Combination”

Thursday July 24, 2008 “Lifesaving Society Celebrates 100 Years of Saving Lives”

Friday July 25, 2008 “ Canada Post Releases Stamp Honoring Lifesaving Society”

For additional information and/or program information, parents are urged to visit the Society's website at: www.lifesaving.ca

About the Lifesaving Society:

The Lifesaving Society, Canada 's lifeguarding experts for the past 100 years, is a national, volunteer organization and registered charity whose mandate is drowning prevention. The Society's programs include: Learn to Swim, Lifesaving, Lifesaving Sport, Water Smart® Public Education, Research, First Aid and Boating. The Lifesaving Society remains the leader in lifeguard training and in 2008 will provide training and certification to over 500,000 nationally.

For additional information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Mr. Simon Rolfe, Manager of In-house Marketing Projects

Lifesaving Society National Office

287 McArthur Avenue

Ottawa , ON . K1L 6P3

Tel: (613) 746-5694 ext 27

e-mail: srolfe@lifesaving.ca or visit www.lifesaving.ca

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