Albertans are being reminded to make water safety a priority as National Drowning Prevention Week gets underway from July 19 to 25.

Led by the Lifesaving Society of Canada, this year’s campaign carries the theme “Safety starts with being Water Smart.” The week also includes World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, raising awareness about the importance of preventing water-related tragedies.

According to the Lifesaving Society, more than 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents each year.

The Alberta RCMP is encouraging everyone to take simple precautions before heading to the lake, river or pool this summer.

Water safety tips

RCMP recommends:

• Wear a properly fitted lifejacket while boating, participating in water sports or if you are not a confident swimmer.
• Keep children and non-swimmers within arm’s reach whenever they are in or near the water.
• Never swim or operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or when overly tired.
• Be aware of changing water conditions, especially in rivers where strong currents, undercurrents, sudden depth changes and entrapment hazards can exist.
• Never swim or boat alone. If towing someone during water sports, always have a dedicated spotter in the boat.
• Learn to swim. Many drownings happen after an unexpected fall into the water.
• Never dive into shallow or unfamiliar water. If you are unsure of the depth, enter feet first.
• Consider wearing bright, high-visibility swimwear to make swimmers easier to see in the water.

The RCMP encourages Albertans to learn more about water safety by visiting the Lifesaving Society’s public education resources at lifesaving.org/public-education.

As families across the Lakeland spend time on local lakes and rivers this summer, officials say taking a few simple precautions can help prevent a tragedy.