Summer is right around the corner, and as the warm weather continues to roll in, people will be spending more time outdoors and near the water.
While families shouldn’t be afraid to make the most of the season, health experts say safety should remain at the forefront while spending time outside during the summer.
This week, CTV’s Your Morning Ottawa was joined by the Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A.K.A. Dr. Paul, as well as Dr. Trevor Arnason, the Medical Officer of Health of Ottawa Public Health, to discuss summer and water safety.
“Let’s enjoy the water — we are blessed to have a lot of water and nice weather, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, but do it safely,” Roumeliotis said.
Heat safety
This past week, Ottawa went through a humid heat blast, with temperatures that felt close to 40 degrees.
Arnason says it’s crucial that people monitor the temperature as well as the humidex throughout the summer. He recommends downloading Environment Canada’s Weather Can app, which can send you notifications for special weather statements or warnings.
“It’s really important to make sure you’re not doing strenuous exercises outdoors during the hottest parts of the day, that can put you at risk of heat stroke or heat illness,” Arnason said.
Arnason says older adults, those who are pregnant and those who spend their days working outdoors should make sure they’re taking time to cool off and drinking plenty of water on hot days.
UV safety
In addition to monitoring the temperature, Arnason recommends keeping an eye on the UV index.
“If its three or higher than we start to worry about sun burns and skin damage and obviously, it’s a risk for skin cancer,” he said.
To protect against the sun, apply sunscreen rated 30 SPF or higher, wear hats and long sleeve shirts, and seek relief from the sun’s rays.
“Staying in the shade even is something that is very protective that is easy to do sometimes in certain areas,” he said.
Bike-riding safety
When riding bicycles, motorcycles or scooters, it’s important to wear proper safety equipment and obey the rules of the road, Arnason said.
“It’s important for people to wear helmets. Helmets prevent against head injuries, which can be some of the most devastating injuries that people can get,” Arnason said.
Water safety
Both Roumeliotis and Arnason say parents should always keep an eye on their children while they are in or around the water.
“The best thing you can do — of course, there areother safety precautions — but the number one thing is always keep an eye on your kids,” Roumeliotis said.
Likewise, both doctors say parents should stay within an arm’s reach of their young ones while they’re swimming.
Pool safety
Drownings can happen in any body of water, even in bathtubs or large puddles, but Roumeliotis says backyard pools are the most common area for children to drown.
“We get them every year, which is horrible. So, the best thing is really prevention,” he said.
In Ottawa, pools need to be fenced in, but Roumeliotis says parents should keep an eye on their children even when they’re outside the fence.
“Always supervise your children,” Dr. Paul said. “Kids are very smart. So, I’ve seen kids have a little wagon, roll the wagon and use it to step on and go into the pool.”
When closing your pool, Roumeliotis recommends putting away any items that could be used by a child to get over the fence.
Beach safety
Many of the beaches in and around Ottawa are on rivers, which often have dangerous currents. In May, there were two incidents where children died after being rescued from rivers in Ottawa.
- Six-year-old boy dies after being found in water near Mooney’s Bay
- Two-year-old dies after Ottawa River rescue: police
Roumeliotis says it’s especially crucial that parents stay within an arm’s length of their children while in the waters with currents, as children can get pulled away quickly.
Boating safety
If you’re boating, never drink and drive, Roumeliotis says.
Additionally, every person on a boat should be wearing a well-fitting and Transport Canada approved life jacket. Personal flotation devices should fit snugly and be approved for the appropriate weight of the user.
Pool floaties and other inflatable devices are not considered personal flotation devices, and Roumeliotis says there are no Transport Canada approved devices for children under 20 pounds.
