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Teaming up to prevent drowning
During Parachute’s Safe Kids Week, June 7-14, the Safe Communities Cranbrook and EK Child Care Resource and Referral along with the Community against Preventable Injuries (Preventable) and Parachute, are asking Canadians to have a word with themselves before getting in the water. Towels, emblazoned with the words “Before you think only other swimmers drown, have a word with yourself,” will be laid out, as a reminder that we are all at risk of drowning.
Preventable childhood injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among Canadian children. In the past 10 years, more than 570 children have drowned in Canada. This is equal to roughly 10 school buses. Every year, another 140 children are hospitalized because they nearly drowned. Near-drowning can result in long-term health effects, and can affect the way a child thinks, learns, and plays.
“With 90% of all shallow water drownings of children occurring when an adult is not supervising, Canadian parents need to be aware of water safety and how they can prevent these tragic incidents,” says Louise Logan, Parachute’s President and CEO. “Education is key. By partnering with community-based organizations like Safe Communities Cranbrook, we’re ensuring the right prevention tools are available to families during Parachute’s Safe Kids Week, as well as throughout the summer months.”
“The key to reducing serious injuries is behaviours and attitudes,” says Dr. Ian Pike, spokesperson for Preventable. “We all lead busy and hectic lives – taking that one moment to have a word with yourself could prevent injury and save your life or your child’s life.”
Drowning statistics:
While 20% of Canadians believe that a child under six is safe near the water without a lifejacket as long as they aren’t swimming, the reality is that 79% of children who drowned entered the water unintentionally.
For each child who dies from drowning, there are some two to three near-drowning cases that require hospitalization and another seven that require a visit to an emergency room. 57% of drowning deaths in Canada happen between May and August
Not wearing a personal flotation device in a relevant situation was a risk factor for 77% of drowning deaths in Canada between 2006 and 2010.
Two-thirds of drownings in Canada occur in lakes and rivers/streams, but young children are especially at risk in the bathtub.
About Parachute
Parachute is dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. A national charity, Parachute officially formed in July 2012, when the former Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK, and ThinkFirst Canada joined together to become one leader in injury prevention. Parachute’s injury prevention solutions, knowledge mobilization, public policy, and social awareness efforts are designed to help keep Canadians safe. Parachute’s vision is an injury-free Canada with Canadians living long lives the fullest. For information, visit us at www.parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Facebook.
About Preventable
Preventable (also known as The Community Against Preventable Injuries) is the first-ever organization to undertake a nationwide social marketing strategy focusing on preventable injuries. Established to raise awareness, transform societal attitudes, and ultimately change behaviours, Preventable uses provocative communication to reach people at the moment of risk.
“Have a Word with Yourself” is Preventable’s current campaign that speaks to the little voice inside your head that knows that sometimes bad things can happen – but that we each have the power to prevent them. Preventable is a registered non-profit organization representing a true partnership of more than 80 members, including businesses, injury prevention organizations and government. Our goal is simple: to change attitudes in order to significantly reduce the number and severity of preventable injuries in Canada.
Event Locations:
June 13 – 4 p.m. at Cranbrook Aquatic Centre – Kids Club Afterschool children will be using life jackets in the pool and getting information around water safety from Lifeguards as well as taking part in games.
Preventable childhood injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among Canadian children. In the past 10 years, more than 570 children have drowned in Canada. This is equal to roughly 10 school buses. Every year, another 140 children are hospitalized because they nearly drowned. Near-drowning can result in long-term health effects, and can affect the way a child thinks, learns, and plays.
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