This week, a very sad event occurred in our ward with the drowning of a 9-year-old boy at Britannia Beach. This accident has deeply touched us all. It is heartbreaking when we realize that drowning can be preventable. Going forward, we need to find ways to spread the message that children in the water need not only to be watched but also to be within arm’s length.
Summer weather now extends to the beginning of June with heat waves unlike ever before. The current standards for opening beaches are based on the need to cool off during peak summer days and are tied to school summer holidays. I am aware that extending the supervised beach season would be costly, and this would need to be reflected in our budget priority process. There are three beaches, four if you include Westboro, in Ottawa that would all need the same attention. The other problem is finding enough lifeguards to do this work. It is already a challenge to fill positions at pools across our city. I encourage anyone who has the ability to pass the lifesaving courses and tests to consider applying. Remember that lifeguards do not replace direct adult supervision over children but act as an extra layer of protection.
Everyone should have the opportunity to take swimming lessons, but currently, it is structured as optional and comes with a cost. The best way to ensure children have equal access to swimming would be through schools. I am aware that the United Kingdom has a swimming program built into their curriculum. It also helps to have more swimming pools available in a city to hold lessons. We need to consider building more full-size pools as our city grows.
In the meantime, it would be helpful for the education system to at least target low-income communities that do not have access to or resources to pay for lessons for their children. With rising rents and food prices, swimming lessons would not be affordable for many families.
We all need to be aware of the dangers of water and the importance of taking care of each other to prevent tragic situations. Attached are some tips and information on how to stay safe in and around water.
Please have a safe summer.
Tips for Safety and Swimming Resources:
Boys and Girls Club Ottawa offers no cost swimming lessons at their Dumaurier building.
Water safety tips and information
From the Ontario Lifesaving Society:
School-aged children (5 to 12 years old) still need adult protection around the water. Drowning is fast and silent, even among this age group, so supervision and clear boundaries must be established.
Swim with a buddy – don’t go into the water alone or without an adult present.
Half of drowning victims in this age group are swimming or playing in the water alone or only with other minors.
Wear a lifejacket.
Weak and non-swimmers should wear a lifejacket to keep them safe in the water – especially lakes and rivers where water is cold.
Go to lifeguard supervised pools and beaches.
For safer play near the water, take children to beaches and pools supervised by certified lifeguards. Lifeguards do not replace direct parental supervision but act as an extra layer of protection.
