While drownings are rather infrequent in Greater Victoria, a new campaign aims to remind people to be aware on and around the water.

Whether itB次元官网网址檚 at Willows Beach, Thetis Lake or the inflatable backyard pool, drowning deaths and accidents are preventable. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the message behind a new joint campaign of the Canadian Red Cross and B.C. Hydro called Preventable B次元官网网址� short for the Community Against Preventable Injuries.

The campaign kicked off under sunny skies last week at Willows Beach, where organizers blew up a three-metre beach ball laid out towels printed with the words B次元官网网址淏efore you think only other swimmers drown B次元官网网址� have a word with yourself.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all about making sure you donB次元官网网址檛 think itB次元官网网址檚 somebody else that might drown, but thinking about yourself,B次元官网网址� said Bruce Andrew, spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross Coastal Region.

B次元官网网址淲e call it Preventable because if people go out to a lake and had learned how to swim and taken courses on safety in the water, theyB次元官网网址檙e already able to recognize what they should do.B次元官网网址�

A change in attitudes and behaviours could help prevent some of the 60 drowning deaths that happen in B.C. each year, he added.

Most drownings involve children in swimming pools and bathtubs, and often happen when they are alone or unsupervised. About 35 per cent happen in lakes, rivers and streams and another 10 per cent happen in the ocean, according to the Lifesaving SocietyB次元官网网址檚 B.C. and Yukon division.

B次元官网网址淥ften itB次元官网网址檚 people unfamiliar with the water and people unprepared to go into the water,B次元官网网址� said the societyB次元官网网址檚 executive director, Dale Miller. B次元官网网址淭he locals are probably very aware of the dangers and therefore, we do not see too many (drownings) in the area.B次元官网网址�

According to the society, only six drowning deaths have happened outdoors in Greater Victoria since 2006, although some of those were attributed to suicide.

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ecardone@vicnews.com

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� Drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children up to age four.

B次元官网网址� Half of those children who drowned were unsupervised.

B次元官网网址� Most drowning deaths in that age group happened in swimming pools.

B次元官网网址� Alcohol was a factor in 40 per cent of drownings among Canadians over 15.