July 13, 2018
With our long summer days and midnight sun, it’s hard to resist a refreshing dip in, or cruise on, our pristine lakes and waterways. This is National Drowning Prevention Week - an opportunity to refresh your knowledge of water safety.
Whether you are enjoying the beach at one of our NWT Parks, boating or even playing in a swimming pool it is important to keep these safety tips in mind.
- Children 7 years old and under should always be within arm’s reach of a caregiver aged 16 years or older while in the water.
- Watch for hazards and talk about swimming conditions before wading in. Remember, swimmers 11 years old and under should be accompanied by someone over the age of 16.
- No matter how experienced you are water can always surprise you. Everyone should wear a lifejacket while boating, and new swimmers should wear one whenever they are near the water.
- Drinking alcohol and boating don’t mix; don’t drink while boating!
- Don’t dive into shallow waters, check the depth and jump in feet first the first time.
By working together we can keep one another safe and prevent incidents.
Water Smart Lessons: Want to learn more about water safety? Inquire with our Beach Attendants at Fred Henne Territorial Park Beach this week about free Water Smart lessons. Offerings will depend on group sizes. Water Smart is a program administered by the Lifesaving Society of Canada where you can learn about: Lifejacket Safety, Boat Safety, Ice Safety and Swim to Survive.
Beach Attendants: The beach at Fred Henne Territorial Park has Beach Attendants on duty 7 days a week, rain or shine, from 10:00am until 8:00pm up until September 3.
Lifejacket Loaner Stations: Several NWT Parks have Lifejacket Loaner Stations. We encourage you to borrow one for your time near the water or bring your own. Remember, lifejackets only work if you wear them and they fit appropriately.
We encourage everyone to practice water safety, have some fun in the midnight sun and enjoy our Spectacular NWT!