Stay safe on water - National Drowning Prevention Week

National Drowning Prevention Week is underway as safety advocates urge Albertans to take extra precautions around high water levels this summer.

Every year, the third week of July is marked as the National Drowning Prevention Week encouraging businesses and individuals to practice and learn prevention measure while on or near water. According to the 2025 National Drowning Report, over 450 Canadians drown each year. However, Blue Cross and Lifesaving Societies are teaming up to educate Albertans this summer.

“We’ve seen record-breaking precipitation in Alberta over the last few months which has led to exceptionally high river levels and overflowing stormwater retention ponds, leaving natural bodies of water in dangerous conditions,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross. “This summer the risk of drowning has become even higher—which makes it even more important for all Albertans to take precautions to ensure safety around open water.” Each year there is a new theme for the week, with each day holding a different message.

This year’s theme is “Unite to Turn the Tide on Drowning”. July 19 brings attention to fatal and non-fatal drowning, reminding individuals to swim in groups and keep an eye on one-another. The 20 is themed open water, also reminding swimmers to stay in groups while in lakes or rivers.

Further in the week, July 21 is pool safety day encouraging others to swim where there are lifeguards on duty to protect you. Additionally, July 22 encourages families to enrol themselves and their children in swim lessons as it has found most drowning come from those not planning to be in water at all. The end of the week, July 23, 24 and 25 bring themes of supervision, substance use and boat safety to conversation.

Individuals are reminded to always be in groups, not to drink or use marijuana while swimming, and to always use a life jacket while paddling, boating or fishing.