Avoid the use of a bath seat or bath ring. Bath seats and rings have been attributed to a number of drowning incidents in infants and young children, and their use is not recommended. Babies who cannot sit without support should be held by an adult at all times during their bath.
Young children should be within an arm’s reach of an adult (not an older child) when in or near water, including paddling pools and in the bathroom. At social gatherings, take turns being the adult responsible for supervision of children. When it is your turn, focus on your job as “water watcher” to ensure you are not distracted by other activities.
Use a doorknob safety cover or put an eye and hook lock on the outside of all bathroom doors. Place the eye and hook lock up high and out of reach of young children to keep them out of the bathroom without adult supervision. Drain water out of sinks and bathtubs immediately after use and install locks on toilet seat lids.
Completely empty and turn paddling or wading pools upside-down when they are not being directly supervised by an adult (within an arm’s reach of children under 5 years of age). Teach older children that the pool and hot tub are off limits without direct adult supervision.
Ensure all backyard pools have fencing on all four sides that is at least four feet high and cannot be accessed by children. Any gate to the pool area should be self-closing and self-latching. Teach children not to go in or near the pool without an adult.
Enroll your children in swimming lessons. Teach them the unique dangers of different bodies of water (e.g., pools, lakes, rivers). Remind them of safety habits such as:
Ensure that children always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when in a boat, canoe, paddleboat, or other watercraft. PFDs that are worn save lives. PDFs in the bottom of a boat do not. It is the responsibility of adults to complete a mandatory boating course, check that the boat is in good condition, and to check weather conditions prior to leaving.
Adults need to check the thickness of ice before children go on frozen ponds, sloughs, or lakes. Ice needs to be at least 20 cm (8 in.) thick for group skating or games. For more ice safety tips, visit the Lifesaving Society.
Take a first aid and CPR course so you know what to do in the event of an emergency. Remember that being within arm’s reach while providing active supervision of children is essential for reducing the risk of drowning.
To help prevent drowning, ensure that children are wearing lifejackets or personal flotation devices (also called PFDs) when they are taking part in water activities like boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Lifejackets and PFDs are also important for children while swimming, particularly if they are not strong swimmers. Remember that active adult supervision is still extremely important, even if a child is wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
Look for a lifejacket or PFD with a label that says it has been approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, or Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Always read the label on the lifejacket or PFD to know the weight and age recommendations from the manufacturer.
Lifejackets and PFDs must fit snugly and must be buckled up to prevent the child from slipping out. Remember that inflatable toys such as water wings and blow-up rings are not safety devices.
A variety of lifejackets and PFDs are available for purchase. Look for the following on a child’s lifejacket or PFD:
A lifejacket or PFD should always properly fit the child to ensure their safety. Follow these steps to ensure a proper fit:
Adults should test children’s lifejackets and PFDs for buoyancy at the start of each season and on a regular basis throughout the season, especially if a new lifejacket or PFD has been bought. While wearing the lifejacket or PFD in water, the child’s chin should stay above the water, and they should be able to breathe easily.
The Supporting Parents Webinar Series focuses on topics to help parents and caregivers learn how to create environments that help children thrive. These webinars can be used as part of parenting groups or can be used by parents and caregivers independently. Interactive activities are used to share strategies and tips to enhance capacity to raise healthy, safe, and happy children. A recording of the webinar content and activity instructions will be available after each event.
This interactive virtual session will explore the various hats that parents and caregivers wear. Participants will reflect on how they carry out and feel about their various roles and responsibilities. This session will offer opportunities to understand why these roles are important, how responsibilities can be reframed, and why taking care of oneself is a crucial part of caring for others.
