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During National Drowning Prevention Week (July 19 to 27), the Lifesaving Society is urging all parents to be water smart when in, on or near bodies of water this summer.

Nationally, there were 19 water related fatalities involving children aged 0 - 4 in 2004 (most recent national data available), up slightly from 16 fatalities just a year earlier. "With statistics like that, it's clear that our message still needs to be heard, given that these tragedies continue to occur just a few meters from safety," states Nicole Liddell, the Lifesaving Society's National President-Elect.

Janice Fulton of Peterborough, Ontario knows first-hand just how quickly a drowning incident can develop, as she herself was instrumental in providing lifesaving CPR to a 16-month-old girl who had gone missing, only to be found not breathing after being pulled from a nearby creek. "Accidents like this take only seconds," states Fulton, who later received the Commissioner's Citation for life-saving in recognition of her efforts from OPP Deputy Commissioner Chris Lewis during a gala event held at Casino Rama in Orillia this past June. Potentially deadly situations can be avoided if parents followed the Lifesaving Society's water safety motto to keep toddlers "Within Arms Reach".

Swimming skills need to be taught. Swimming skills are not innate. They are learned and they are very difficult to master without proper instruction. Children can drown in as little as 10 seconds and in only a few centimeters of water. Contrary to popular belief, drowning victims rarely call out, wave or signal for help.

Water smart tips to keep children safe

• Always stay within arm's reach — if you are not within arm's reach of your child when they are in, on or around water you have gone too far.

• Make sure your child is wearing a lifejacket when playing near water.

• Inflatable toys mean extra fun and extra supervision — Inflatable toys can blow away from shore, tip over and trap your child underneath or suddenly deflate. Providing extra attention whenever your child uses inflatable toys can help keep activities fun and safe.

• Restrict access to your pool and open water — Ensure that there is a fence around the entire perimeter and always keep your pool gate locked when your pool is not in use.

• Drain backyard wading pools after use — A child can drown in just a few centimetres of water. Be mindful to position wading pools so they will not fill up with rain water when not in use.

• Be prepared and take some lifesaving and first aid training — Know what to do in the event that something happens.

• Boat safe — choose it and use it! Wear a lifejacket or Personal Flotation Device — simply having a lifejacket in your boat is not enough. Be sure you and your child are wearing them. Get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) to be sure you meet Federal regulations and know the rules of the water.

• Lock all doors when you are inside the cottage and secure low windows that a child might crawl through.

• Establish rules for around the water.

• All members of your family should be able to master the three basic skills of the Swim to Survive standard — Roll into deep water, tread water for one minute and swim 50 meters.