Drowning Prevention Week 2025

Water Wings? BIG no!

For decades, parents have been frustratingly yanking inflated “water wings” onto and up the arms of their young children, to help teach them how to swim. Fact is, these inflatables – as with all others, such as blow-up rafts and rings – are dangerous. Especially on open waters. Watch the above video to find out why. It’s another key message of National Drowning Prevention Week in Essex County and beyond. 

Life jackets safer than PFDs

A personal flotation device, or PFD, will keep you afloat, yes. But if you’re unconscious, it won’t turn your face up in the water – as a life jacket is designed to do.

That’s a vital difference, and another key message of National Drowning Prevention Week in Essex County and beyond. In our latest NDPW video, above, the County’s Emergency Measures Coordinator, Dan Metcalfe, explains why life jackets are the much safer choice.

Little-known swimming dangers in open waters

Boating is fun. Jet-skiing is fun. Kayaking is fun. Canoeing too. But any operator or passenger of a pleasure craft out on open water needs to be prepared in the event of trouble. Should you ever be unexpectedly thrust into the water, it’s vital not only that you can stay afloat, but be seen and heard – to maximize your chances of being found. Learn more in the above video, part of the County of Essex’s special week-long, National Drowning Prevention Week series.

Maximize your chances of being found in open water

Boating is fun. Jet-skiing is fun. Kayaking is fun. Canoeing too. But any operator or passenger of a pleasure craft out on open water needs to be prepared in the event of trouble. Should you ever be unexpectedly thrust into the water, it’s vital not only that you can stay afloat, but be seen and heard – to maximize your chances of being found. Learn more in the above video, part of the County of Essex’s special week-long, National Drowning Prevention Week series.

Why Point Pelee's tip is so dangerous

One of the most dangerous places to swim anywhere is at the very tip of Point Pelee National Park. In fact it is strictly forbidden to even wade in the water at the tip.

This famous, triangular-shaped peninsula is located in Essex County, on Lake Erie’s north shore. Its ever-shifting bottom tip signifies the southern-most point of mainland Canada.

What makes currents there so perilous, so life-threatening? A Park expert explains, above, in our latest County of Essex video underscoring water safety, during National Drowning Prevention Week.

The dangers of cold waters

It's peak summer now. But, much as we might hate to think about it, cold weather is coming, folks. And cold water kills. Dan Metcalfe – the County’s Emergency Measures Coordinator – explains why the cold waters of autumn and spring present another whole level of dangers for operators and passengers of pleasure craft.

This year's NDPW theme: Safer Together

The County of Essex is surrounded on three sides by water and it’s vital that everyone, especially young children and teens, is safe and sensible when in or near water, from background pools to River Canard to the Detroit River to Lakes Erie and St. Clair.

July 20 to 26 is National Drowning Prevention week. The theme this year – Safer Together – emphasizes the importance of always swimming with a buddy, swimming where the lifeguards are and always keeping an eye on younger swimmers and even keeping them within arm’s reach. Watch the above video.

More than 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents every year. About 160 people drown every year in Ontario. Drowning is the third-leading cause of injury related death for Canadian children under 14 years of age. Children under 12, boaters, young men and people over 65 are at the greatest risk. 

We can all work to improve those statistics and be safer together by following some simple, straightforward tips:

Supervise Children: Always directly supervise children around the water - if you are not within arms’ reach, you’ve gone too far.

Boating Safety: Don't boat alone and always wear a lifejacket when in a boat.

Learn to Swim: In most drownings, the victim never intended to go in the water and was often close to safety – could you survive a sudden and unexpected fall into the water?

Stay Sober In, On, and Around Water: Alcohol consumption is a factor in many water related fatalities. Both alcohol and cannabis use impair balance, judgment, and reflexes. Stay sober when in, on or around the water.

Open Water Safety: Make smart choices before going in, on or around the water.

Just Keep Learning: You can save a life-yours, and someone else’s. Take a learn-to-swim, lifesaving or first aid class today.

Learn more about water safety from the Livesaving Society: https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety.aspx

Water Always Wins!

If you swim in the open waters around Essex County, and you think you’re stronger than any big wave – think again. “Water always wins” is the reality. There are too many tragic reasons why this is a solemn slogan in the first-responder community. Learn why this is so, in our concluding video to wrap up National Drowning Prevention Week in Essex County and beyond.