The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is reminding children and families of tips for staying safe around waterways this spring.
The Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP) was held for a fourth year in April.
It was once again supported by Plains Midstream Canada, which donated $5,000 towards the program. The continued contribution allows the conservation authority to offer the SWAP program for free.
“Through our annual Spring Water Awareness Program, we talk with students about the potentially dangerous conditions associated with streams and rivers during the spring, and provide them with safety guidelines,” said Conservation Education Coordinator Melissa Levi in a statement.
Water safety tips can also be found below. This year's event reached over 1,000 elementary school students throughout the St. Clair Region watershed.
Conservation Education/ Community Partnership Technician Myra Spiller said it was a nice change to meet with students after the 2021 program was held virtually.
"They were all engaged in the different experiments, activities, and games we did during the program, and I think they all left with a better understanding of why it’s important to stay away from our local waterways during the spring season,” said Spiller.
Spring water safety tips for children and families include:
- Always tell an adult where you are going.
- Always have a friend with you.
- Stay away from lakes, streams, ditches, and riverbanks. The water can be deep, fast-flowing, and cold.
- Never play around dam structures or culverts. They can have strong water currents that can be hard to escape.
- Never play near or on ice without adult supervision.
- If you have permission and are with a parent on or around water, wear a personal flotation device – even adults should wear one.