Join the Town of Golden and the Lifesaving Society Canada in bringing awareness to the drowning problem during National Drowning Prevention Week from July 21-27, 2024.
Despite a downward trend, drowning is still the third leading cause of death in Canada. The mission of Lifesaving Society Canada is to prevent drowning; even one drowning is one too many.
In partnership with the Lifesaving Society of Canada, Town Recreation staff will be educating and promoting safety awareness at the Golden Swimming Pool between July 21-27.
Staff will be hosting activities with a different drowning prevention theme to help Golden become a Water Smart Community:
- Monday, July 22: Non-fatal Drowning
o Complete a rescue with the lifeguard & get a prize! - Tuesday, July 23: Backyard Pool and Open Water Safety
o Slip ‘n slide and fishing game. - Wednesday, July 24: Swim to Survive
o Complete the swim to survive standard and get a prize! - Thursday, July 25: Supervising Children in and Around Water
o Obstacle course within arms’ reach. - Friday, July 26: Boating Safety and Personal Floatation Devices
o Cardboard boat races
Staff are also bringing back the cardboard boat races - so start building! Races will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and racers should check in at the pool front desk at 1:45 p.m. for staging. This event is free, and spectators are welcome to watch from outside the pool fence.
Boats must be made completely out of cardboard/paper and tape and they will be judged on creativity and performance in the water.
“We are really excited about the activities we have planned for National Drowning Prevention Week,” said Chelsey Keefer, Aquatics Lead with the Town of Golden. “Drowning is preventable, and we want to make sure everyone can have fun and be safe this summer.”
Over 400 people fatally drown annually in Canada, making it the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause of unintentional death for adults.
Nearly every Canadian has known someone who has drowned or had a non-fatal drowning experience, whether personally or from their community. To help reduce drowning, all Canadians are encouraged to:
- Take the Lifesaving Society Swim to Survive Standard (teaches how to survive an unexpected fall into the water) and participate in a learn-to-swim program.
- Wear a properly fitted lifejacket when out on a boat.
- Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities.
- Ensure that children are under the direct supervision of an adult when around bodies of water.
The majority of drownings are preventable in a Water Smart community. Join the Town of Golden and participate in various events and activities to help make our community Water Smart. For more information, email pool@golden.ca or call the pool at 250-344-2118.