The 27th National Drowning Prevention Week got off to a dark start when two people drowned on Sunday.
The Lifesaving Society estimates that there were 52 drownings this summer compared to 36 at the same time last year.
Several factors are implicated, including the increase in swimmers on the bodies of water in the province, due to the good weather.
“Quebecers stayed in Quebec compared to previous years where they could go to stay on the south side, on the American east coast, or in the Atlantic provinces,” explains Mr. Hawkins.
Telework is not to be outdone and is also a considerable factor in explaining the increase in drowning in children.
In fact, an Allstate Canada poll revealed that one in two Quebecers who own a residential swimming pool intends to telecommute this summer. Ten percent believe that their children can supervise themselves.
Raynald Hawkins, Executive Director of the Société, calls on parents to establish a swimming schedule in order to reduce the risks.
Like the designated driver at an evening with friends, he suggests adopting a designated lifeguard.
“87% of drowning victims in previous years in young children [sont attribuées à] lack of direct supervision or because there was a factor that could cause distraction, ”says Raynald Hawkins.
There are many distractions around bodies of water: cell phones, tablets, novels and phone calls, among others. Telework can be added to this list, says Hawkins.
The principle of the appointed rescuer thus seeks to rectify this condition by entrusting this role to a parent. The latter would then be responsible for supervising the children during the period allotted to him according to the schedule set up.
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