As Canada approaches a long weekend, the Lifesaving Society emphasizes the critical need for parents and caregivers to refrain from using mobile phones while supervising children near water. This year has witnessed a troubling increase in drowning incidents, especially in Ontario and Quebec, with recent tragic events highlighting the urgency of the situation. Just last week, three individuals, including two young children and a young kayaker, lost their lives in different drowning incidents in Ontario. The society’s senior communications officer, Stephanie Bakalar, asserts that distracted supervision contributes to over 90% of drowning cases involving children under five. With drowning occurring silently and swiftly, Bakalar stresses that caregivers must maintain constant vigilance to ensure the safety of children in aquatic environments.
Increasingly, reports indicate a correlation between drowning incidents and caregivers distracted by their mobile devices. Bakalar advises that if individuals plan to engage in activities around water, they should place their phones out of reach to minimize the temptation of checking notifications. This advice includes ensuring that phones are placed face down on a table, allowing the user to access necessary emergency services without being distracted. By keeping their attention on the children at all times, caregivers can help prevent devastating accidents and ensure a safer environment for all.
Drownings can occur in any setting involving water, be it pools, beaches, or cottage activities, and even a momentary lapse in supervision can result in tragedy. Bakalar illustrates this by mentioning common scenarios in which caregivers may unwittingly shift their focus, such as applying sunscreen to another child or adjusting a life-jacket while another child is already in distress. At social gatherings like pool parties, having a dedicated adult watch over children becomes even more crucial. This designated supervisor should be a sober adult knowledgeable in swimming, and if they must divert their attention for any reason, they must communicate this to another adult who can assume responsibility.
Younger males are another demographic that faces heightened drowning risks, often due to a reluctance to wear life-jackets. Bakalar cites instances of young men engaging in dangerous activities to impress their peers, which can have fatal consequences. She encourages the use of life-jackets and safe decision-making as a way to enjoy aquatic experiences without risk. It’s essential to promote both safety and fun in these contexts, and embracing life-jacket use can contribute to a culture of responsible swimming.
Recent preliminary statistics from the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada indicate a slight increase in water-related fatalities between January 1 and July 29 this year compared to the previous year. In 2024, there were 164 reported deaths, while the number rose to 168 in 2023. Although several provinces saw stable or declining numbers, both Ontario and Quebec experienced significant increases. Ontario reported 49 deaths in the first seven months of 2024, which surged to 57 this year. In Quebec, the numbers similarly rose from 32 to 47 during the same period, signaling a growing concern. British Columbia also reported a consistent count of 23 drowning deaths from January to July in both years.
As per Ontario’s Chief Coroner’s Office data, the total number of drowning fatalities for all of 2024 stood at 75, a welcome decrease from 94 in 2023. However, the coroner’s office has not yet released total drowning statistics for this year. Additionally, Quebec’s coroner’s office is still completing investigations and has not provided updated data, having recorded 90 drowning deaths in 2023. British Columbia similarly reported a drop in accidental drowning deaths, totaling 98 in 2024, down from 119 the previous year. This evolving data underscores the importance of continued public awareness and vigilant supervision to combat the rising trend in water-related fatalities. As the summer season continues, the Lifesaving Society urges all to recognize the critical role of attentive caregiving and to prioritize safety in aquatic environments.
