July 20 to 26, 2025
Every summer, lives are lost to preventable drownings. This year’s theme for National Drowning Prevention Week is “Safer Together”, a powerful reminder that water safety is a shared responsibility. Being alert and looking out for one another can make all the difference.
Drowning happens fast but is often preventable
Drowning doesn’t always look like an emergency. In fact:
- 72% of older adults, 56% of middle-aged adults, and 41% of young adults who fatally drowned were alone at the time.
- 67% of drownings happen in natural waters like lakes, rivers, and oceans.
- Only 1% of drownings occur in areas watched by lifeguards.
- Among young children under 5, 93% of drownings were due to distracted or absent supervision.
Lifejackets save lives
Transport Canada works to keep people safe on the water through regulation and public awareness. This includes:
- Requiring enough lifejackets for everyone on board any vessel.
- Promoting water safety through national outreach and education.
Still, 79% of people who died in boating-related incidents weren’t wearing a lifejacket.
One of the simplest, most effective ways to stay safe is to wear your lifejacket. Always. Even if you're a strong swimmer. Even on calm water. A lifejacket can give you the time you need to be rescued, or to rescue someone else.
Let’s All Stay #SaferTogether
Here’s what you can do to be safe, not just during National Drowning Prevention Week, but all year round:
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, paddling, or fishing.
- Avoid alcohol or drugs around water.