Warm summer weather makes people across Manitoba think about staying cool. Year after year, they flock to swimming pools or natural bodies of water across the province to get wet and beat the heat. Unfortunately, that also means that every year we see a spike in drowning deaths.

Knowing July sees the peak of water-related incidents each year, the Lifesaving Society chooses the 3rd week of July as National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW). This is a public awareness campaign each year to build community and media support for the drowning prevention cause.

National Drowning Prevention Week provides a focus around which community Water Smart® educators can plan news releases, do television and radio interviews, run public demonstrations, deliver public training events, and otherwise promote drowning prevention messages and events. Many successful community events are launched with a Mayor’s Proclamation of Drowning Prevention Week.

Look for events in your local community.