May 19, 2016 · 0 Comments
Today (Thursday) is National Lifejacket Day in Orangeville, as proclaimed by Mayor Jeremy Williams.
The Canadian Red Cross National Lifejacket Day is an annual campaign to encourage and promote the use of lifejackets and PFDs.
Every year, 161 Canadians drown while boating and of these fatalities only 12 percent are reported to be correctly wearing a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
A properly worn lifejacket or PFD is the fundamental safety item for boating and keeps you at the surface of the water during unexpected or unintentional entries into water, reduces the initial impact of a fall into cold water, and can help you reach safety.
Mayor Williams encourages all citizens to learn more about lifejacket safety, to wear correctly sized lifejackets, and to remember that lifejackets can save lives.
During National Lifejacket Day, families will have the opportunity to learn proper lifejacket fitting and use at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre tonight from 7 to 8 p.m.
The event will include the Toonie Swim and a chance to meet Buckles, the Red Cross mascot.
This water safety event is part of a promotional campaign by the Parks and Recreation Department to increase water safety awareness and to introduce the new safer swim admission policies that take effect on July 1.
Members of Orangeville’s aquatics staff are working to help prepare families for a safe summer by hosting water safety events that offer water safety tips, demonstrations and games.
For more information on National Lifejacket Day, call 519-940-9090 Ext. 4110.