National Drowning Prevention Week begins ahead of somber anniversary of Wasaga Beach drowning
Sunday marks the start of National Drowning Prevention Week and it comes one day ahead of the 10-year anniversary of a drowning of a 9-year-old boy in Wasaga Beach.
Provincial police are reminding the public of the story of Zach Haskett. The 9-year-old lost his life on July 18, 2012 in the waters of Wasaga Beach.
"It was a day that I'll never forget. It's also the day and the reason why I became a water safety advocate, so that no other parent feels the loss of losing a child to drowning," Melissa Haskett, Zach's mother said in a social media message shared by OPP. "Swimming lessons are so very important for every child to learn. It is a life skill that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives."
Police say so far this year they've already rescued dozens of people from the waters of Georgian Bay. According to police, the mouth of the Nottawasaga River is an especially dangerous location due to undertows and busy boat traffic.
The Lifesaving Society and OPP have provided several tips for everyone going into the water:
- Monitor children at all times
- Wear lifejackets at all times
- Know how to swim properly
- Stay sober at all times
- Obey all beach signage
- Do not swim in unauthorized areas
Melissa, who says young Zach was a kind soul taken far too soon, said in the video released by police that time is always of the essence with drownings.
"[He was] such a kind, caring little boy that I miss every second of everyday. Please be water safe. Never take your eyes off your children even for a second as drowning is silent and it just takes seconds," Melissa says. "If you are going out on any floatation device always wear your lifejacket. It must be on in order to save your life, not down by your feet."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.