Canadians have an abundance of fresh and salt water that can be used for recreational purposes. Unfortunately, waters in and around urban centres and agricultural regions are becoming increasingly contaminated.

How do recreational waters get contaminated?

There are many sources of contamination. These include: sewage or industrial waste discharged into rivers, agricultural run-off (including manure, fertilizers and pesticides) and urban run-off such as fertilizers which promote algae and weed growth. Other sources of pollution include: storm water run-off, animal feces, numerous bathers (especially those with infections), oil and gasoline spills from power boats and marinas, and pollution from boaters.

What are some of the health risks of swimming in polluted water?

Microbiological contamination (e.g. poorly treated sewage) can cause a number of illnesses. The most common are gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhoea and respiratory, eye, ear, nose or throat infections. Chemical pollutants may also pose health risks but disease-causing microorganisms from poorly treated sewage are a greater risk.

Swallowing water is the main way pollutants enter the body. They may also gain entry through broken skin or through the ears, eyes or nose. Other physical hazards are possible when swimming in polluted water. If water is not clear due to contamination or weed growth, objects like rocks and broken glass are much less visible and more likely to cause injury.

There are many ways individuals can help keep recreational water safe:

Avoid going in the water if you have an open wound or an infection
Don't use soap in recreational water. Soap nourishes algae and bacteria, helping them to grow
Take limited amounts of food to beaches to discourage animals and birds which leave droppings. Don't feed animals or birds, and securely close garbage bins
Pick up your pet's droppings and dispose of them hygienically.
Avoid using fertilizers near recreational water
If you live in a rural area make sure your septic system works properly
Practise pollution-free boating by disposing of human wastes hygienically
Encourage your municipality and local industry to treat waste properly

Learning to swim is essential

Teaching your children to swim is important if you want to avoid some nasty incidents. Around the age of three, children's bodies are well developed enough to allow them to learn the rudiments of swimming. In the family pool, at the beach or in a rowboat, you are responsible for ensuring that children know and understand the basic rules of water safety; nevertheless, children must always be supervised whenever they are around water.

Contact your local Red Cross, the Régie de la sécurité dans les sports du Québec or your municipal government for additional information. Find out if there are training programs available in your area. If so, why not enrol in a water safety course? You will feel safer for it and, in the event of an emergency, you will know what to do.

Tips for swimming safely with children

Remember that children are naturally attracted to water. A child can drown quietly in seconds, and in only an inch of water.
Give your children your full attention. Children should always be wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) in or around water.
Teach young children how to swim or play within arm's reach.
Swim at supervised waterfronts and beaches.
Choose a safe place to swim. Check for hazards on the beach and in the water -- including water pollution levels.

Swimming Pool Safety: Make a splash

Ah, a backyard swimming pool! Nothing like it for cooling off.

Swimming Pool Safety

Injuries to the face are the most common mishaps involving swimming pools for children under 10. These injuries tend to occur:

entering or leaving the pool, and slipping;
bobbing underwater at the edge of the pool;
jumping in backwards.

Make your pool a fun and safe place.

Check with your municipality about the rules for fencing in backyard pools. A fence will help prevent accidents -- especially to children.
If your pool fence has a gate, make sure it is locked at all times.
Make sure other accesses to the pool, such as patio doors, are locked.
ALWAYS have an adult watching children in and around the pool.
Take your kids to swimming and water safety lessons. For more information, contact the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross or Lifesaving Society.
Children under 3 or who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or personal flotation device at all times, whether in or around the pool.
Keep life saving equipment and a first aid kit handy by the pool.
Have a list of emergency phone numbers at the phone nearest the pool.
Keep toys, garden furniture and tools away from the pool fence. Kids can climb them to get into the pool.
Store pool chemicals out of the reach and sight of children.

Now, get in and enjoy!

Sport Safety

In-line skating/rollerblading

Participation in in-line skating or rollerblading has increased greatly over the past few years. Most people take up in-line skating as a recreational activity, but it is also used in fitness regimens and training programs for other sports. Increasingly, adults and children alike are finding in-line skating an enjoyable, accessible and affordable activity. Along with the rising popularity of in-line skating, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of injuries (primarily to the hand, forearm, and head) associated with the sport.

These measures have been recommended for the prevention of in-line skating injuries:

Use full protective equipment (helmet, wrist guards, gloves, knee and elbow pads and protective clothing -- long sleeves and long pants)
Take lessons
Skate in areas such as roller rinks, parks and playgrounds that are free of traffic, pedestrians, obstacles and surface irregularities (e.g. cracks, debris, potholes)
Skate on dry surfaces and under conditions of good visibility, and be wary of seasonal hazards such as wet fallen leaves or ice
Stay away from traffic
Don't skate in confined areas with obstacles (e.g. in the house or garage)
Be careful near stairs and steps
Use caution on inclines, ramps and hills, especially if inexperienced
Don't skate while being towed by cars, bikes, dogs or people
Avoid outfitting very young children before they have sufficient strength and coordination

Playground Safety

Each year, more than 10,000 Canadian children are injured on playgrounds. Many of these children require hospitalization, and, tragically, some die.

Injuries on playground equipment were sustained most frequently by 5-9 year olds (54%), followed by 2-4 year olds (26%)
Most injuries occurred at a public park (37%) or at school (35%)
Playground equipment accounting for most injuries were slides (22%), monkey bars (21%) and swings (20%)

Safety Tips

Never tamper with the ropes on the equipment.
Adults should supervise children at all times.
Children should avoid wearing clothing with drawstrings which can get caught in the equipment and can lead to entanglement or strangulation.
Children should take off helmets before playing on equipment as they can get stuck and result in strangulation.

Sparklers can cause injuries

Use sparklers outdoors and hold at arm's length.
Light only one sparkler at a time, and never throw them.
Soak the sparkler in water to cool it, before putting it in the garbage.
Always supervise children when they are playing with sparklers.

Family fireworks displays need planning

Do not include fire crackers. Call your local fire department for advice.

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	Last Updated: 2005-08-09		Important Notices