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‘Sharp spike’ in drownings in Alberta renews calls for improved safety

Click to play video: 'Series of drownings in Alberta spark renewed calls for water safety'
Series of drownings in Alberta spark renewed calls for water safety
WATCH: It was a tragic weekend on the water in Alberta with a 10-year-old boy dying and two other children going missing near waterways. As Lauren Pullen reports, it’s renewing the push for water safety across the province – Jul 9, 2018

It was a tragic weekend on Alberta waterways and that has officials renewing calls for increased water safety.

A 10-year-old boy drowned in Elk Island National Park‘s Astotin Lake near Edmonton, a teen was swept away in the Oldman River in Lethbridge and the search is still on for a missing two-year-old who disappeared near Wapiti River in northwestern Alberta.

“This is a sharp spike in a short space of time,” Mandy Fisher with the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories said. “Our hearts go out to the families affected by this.”

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But the sad reality is, it’s not that rare, according to Fisher.

“July, statistically, is the highest month for drownings across Canada,” Fisher said.

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Sunday is the start of drowning prevention week and the Lifesaving Society is reiterating simple water tips to keep Canadian’s safe.

“Drownings are preventable. They are a major public health issue,” Fisher said.

“Of course the number one thing that we cannot emphasize enough is to wear a lifejacket. Lifejackets save lives.”

Fisher also urges constant supervision of children and weak swimmers.

“It can only take a few seconds for a person to drown and drowning is often silent so a child can slip away and be in trouble before you know it.”

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