Contact your local Red Cross, the Régie de la sécurité dans les sports du Québec or your municipal government for additional information. Find out if there are training programs available in your area. If so, why not enrol in a water safety course? You will feel safer for it and, in the event of an emergency, you will know what to do.

Tips for swimming safely with children

·	Remember that children are naturally attracted to water. A child can drown quietly in seconds, and in only an inch of water.
·	Give your children your full attention. Children should always be wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) in or around water.
·	Teach young children how to swim or play within arm's reach.
·	Swim at supervised waterfronts and beaches.
·	Choose a safe place to swim. Check for hazards on the beach and in the water, including water pollution levels.

Swimming Pool Safety: Make a splash
Ah, a backyard swimming pool! Nothing like it for cooling off.

Swimming Pool Safety

·	Injuries to the face are the most common mishaps involving swimming pools for children under 10. These injuries tend to occur:
·	Entering or leaving the pool, and slipping;
·	Bobbing underwater at the edge of the pool;
·	Jumping in backwards.
·	Make your pool a fun and safe place.
·	Check with your municipality about the rules for fencing in backyard pools. A fence will help prevent accidents -- especially to children.
·	If your pool fence has a gate, make sure it is locked at all times.
·	Make sure other accesses to the pool, such as patio doors, are locked.
·	ALWAYS have an adult watch children in and around the pool.
·	Take your kids to swimming and water safety lessons. For more information, contact the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross or Lifesaving Society.
·	Children under 3 or who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or personal flotation device at all times, whether in or around the pool.
·	Keep life-saving equipment and a first aid kit handy by the pool.
·	Have a list of emergency phone numbers at the phone nearest the pool.
·	Keep toys, garden furniture and tools away from the pool fence. Kids can climb them to get into the pool.
·	Store pool chemicals out of the reach and sight of children.
·	Now, get in and enjoy!

Excerpt: Health Canada - Government of Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/securit/sports/summer-ete/sports_e.html

Precautions to be taken with swimming pool chemicals
In every case, swimming pool products are harmful and can cause damages to the skin, the eyes, and often irritate the nose and throat, if they are not manipulate with care.

Here are a few safety tips:

·	Store chemical products in a dry, well-ventilated area away from children;
·	Keep containers closed when not in use;
·	Always add chemical products to water and never water to chemical products;
·	Never mix chemical products;
·	In the event of contact or ingestion, follow the instructions on the packaging label or contact an anti-poison centre;
·	Do not smoke near chemical products;
·	Do not discard these products in the regular garbage;
·	Once the container is empty, rinse it thoroughly and avoid using it for another purpose.

The types of products concerned by the notice are:

·	Granulated chlorine (HTH type) – shock: this product is a very powerful oxidizer. He can cause a fire, even an explosion if it is contaminated by another chemical. Never use in an automatic chlorine dispenser, or chlorinator). Add the product to the water, never the opposite.
·	Chlorine pucks, sticks, tabs: This form of granular chlorine can also cause a fire or an explosion when contaminated.
·	Non-chlorine shock treatment: This agent is very oxidizing and represents, as the other products do, a real danger. Never empty the product in the skimmer, the basket, the brominator or chlorinator;
·	Algaecide : this chemical is very oxidizing and represents, as the other products do, a real danger.

In case of doubt, don’t take any risks, call your pool specialist
or contact the fire department at (450) 424-1114.

Swimming Pools and beaches