Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

• Always keep children within arms' reach, in and around the water. Never leave a child alone, whether it is in the bathtub, a swimming pool or any body of water such as rivers or lakes. 
• Always swim between the red/yellow flags, inside the designated swimming area.
• Make sure children and weaker swimmers wear properly fitted life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFD) in and around the water.
• Access lifejackets in child, youth and adult sizes at no cost at all Ottawa's beaches through the Lifejacket Loaner Program.
• Be aware of fast-flowing water and sudden drop-offs. Ottawa is home to many beautiful waterways—but some of them can be dangerous. White water, rapids, and fast-flowing currents can quickly overpower even strong swimmers and paddlers. In many areas, the water drops off suddenly from the shoreline, creating hidden hazards.
• Stay sober.  Do not use alcohol, cannabis or drugs when swimming or supervising others in the water.
• Keep safety equipment and a phone close to the pool.
• Ottawa Public Health recommends installing four-sided fencing to ensure access to a pool is completely separate from the house, preventing direct access by a child.
• Consider keeping young children out of hot tubs.  Talk with your doctor before you allow children under the age of five to use a hot tub.  Hot tubs are too hot for young children, may have high bacteria, and the drain in the hot tub can trap children. For more information on hot tub safety, please visit HealthLinkBC.
• Don’t swim alone. Always swim with others who know how to swim.
• Where lifeguard supervision is available, swim in areas where lifeguards are on duty. One percent of fatal drownings in Ontario occur in lifeguarded settings.
• Be aware of the limits of your swimming abilities.
• Be aware of the conditions where you swim. Watch for currents and changes in the lake or river bottom.
• Make sure you and your family members learn to swim.
• Enjoy safe boating. Make sure that you and your family members always wear a properly sized lifejacket/PFD for all water activities. When not in use, lifejackets/PFDs need to be kept in a dry, ventilated area and out of direct sunlight.
• Know what to do in an emergency, including CPR and calling 9-1-1. 

Ottawa winters are becoming shorter and warmer due to climate change. Did you know that the ice on a river or lake must be 6 inches thick to support just one person? It needs to be a lot thicker to support more people or a vehicle. Here are some tips to keep you and others safe around ice this winter:

• If you are not sure if the ice is safe, stay off the ice and choose an indoor/outdoor rink to skate. More information at Skating|City of Ottawa.
• All ice on rivers, lakes or streams can be risky.
• Check the ice conditions:
  • Clear blue ice is strong and the safest
  • White ice is half as strong and can cover up dangers
  • Grey ice is unsafe and will not support much weight
• Many things affect the thickness of ice, including:
  • salt from roads
  • currents and rocks or trees below the surface
  • changing temperatures
• Monitor the weather. Consistent temperatures below freezing are needed for natural bodies of water to freeze.
• Wear a life jacket; it buys you time if you fall through the ice.
• Avoid stormwater management ponds- ice on these ponds is unstable and not safe for recreational activities.
• Don’t go out onto ice alone or at night.
• Always keep your dog on a leash when near water (rivers, streams or lakes).
• Learn about what you can do if you or someone you are with falls through the ice. More information at lifesavingsociety.com. 
• Wear a hockey helmet when on the ice to protect your brain.

Download our Enjoy the ice and stay safe this winter fact sheet