City urges residents to keep safe on the water during Canada Day weekend

With warm weather expected in Ottawa this weekend, the City is reminding residents to keep safe while cooling off in area pools, beaches and waterways this Canada Day weekend.

Related: Ottawa Swimming Guide

“The Canada Day long weekend offers Ottawa residents the opportunity to enjoy summer activities with their families. It’s important to remember key water safety practices when they are looking to cool off in pools or waterways," said Councillor Diane Deans, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee.

The City and its Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition partners remind residents to be vigilant around water. Every year, Ottawa averages five drownings. In fact, drowning is one of the leading causes of injury-related death for Canadian children under the age of four.

To keep safe, remember these important tips:

Stay within arm’s reach of your child at all times in and around the water
Always wear a personal floatation device when you are in a boat or a watercraft
Enroll yourself and your children in swimming lessons and learn CPR and First Aid
Install four-sided fencing around all pools, measuring at least 5 feet or 1.5 metres high and including a self-latching and self-closing gate

Residents can check on the water quality of the city’s four supervised beaches at Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Petrie Island and Westboro by calling the Beach Information Line at 613-580-6744 ext. 13219 or visiting ottawa.ca . Daily swimming advisories are updated late morning.

Starting July 2, all 54 of Ottawa’s wading pools are open for days of summer fun. For information on your local wading pool and a full list of events, call 613-580-2590 or visit the wading pools section of the City’s website.

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