June 09, 2006
In response to recommendations from the report of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force, Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald today announced two new initiatives to promote water safety and the use of life-jackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) in Manitoba.
"Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children one to four years of age and the second leading cause of death for children and young adults from five to 19 years of age," said Oswald. "Life-jackets are an essential part of water-safety equipment and should be worn at all times by everyone who is out on the water."
Oswald said the government is undertaking two new initiatives to complement an awareness campaign targeting school children.
The awareness campaign was part of a Healthy Schools initiative that provided $100 grants for Manitoba schools to develop an activity that promotes water, farm or bike safety. More than 80 Manitoba schools have committed to projects that focus on water safety.
The two new initiatives promote the use of life-jackets and personal flotation devices, and water-safety awareness. They include:
A $50,000 personal flotation device loan program for remote and northern communities. The program will give local residents access to properly-sized personal flotation devices which residents can borrow to use while on the water. The Coalition for Safer Waters will manage the program and will work with community recreation directors or other local government employees.
The program will be operated in more than 50 remote and northern communities. Communities interested in the program may contact the Coalition for Safer Waters at 1-204-787-1873.
A $75,000 public-education campaign that targets drowning prevention and water-safety awareness. The campaign will promote the use of life-jackets and personal flotation devices. This is a key recommendation from the Coalition for Safer Waters and the Manitoba Drowning Prevention Strategy. Existing public-service ads developed by the Canadian Red Cross are being considered.
"Injuries are not accidents. They can be prevented by taking precautions like wearing the right safety gear," said Shawn Feely of the Coalition for Safer Waters. "Everyone should practise safe and responsible boating by always wearing a life-jacket and being alert while on water."
In August 2004, Premier Gary Doer announced the creation of the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force to ask Manitobans how to help children and young people enjoy the best possible health now and into their adult lives.
The task force was particularly interested in factors that affect children’s health in the areas of nutrition, physical activity and injury prevention. One of the recommendations of the task force report was to educate the public on the importance of water safety.
"It’s too hot! It doesn’t look cool. I know how to swim. Nothing is going to happen to me. These are just some of the many excuses people use to explain why they do not wear a life-jacket," said Oswald. "Every year, people drown unnecessarily because they are not taking appropriate precautions. It is imperative for everyone to wear a life-jacket while on the water."
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