Health Happenings July 2010

National Drowning Prevention Week: July 17 to July 24

World Population Day: July 11

National Drowning Prevention Week: July 17 to July 24

Next to traffic incidents, drowning is the second cause of accidental death in Canada. There are ways to prevent drowning and still enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle with your family this summer.

The following water safety tips are recommended by Safe Kids Canada, the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children, to help protect your child from drowning:

1. Adult supervision: Always stay within sight and reach of your child when he is in or near water.
2. Training for adults: Get trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid, water rescue, and swimming skills.
3. Four-sided pool fencing: Safe pool fencing is designed so that children cannot climb over or under it. Pool fencing should be at least 4 feet (1.2 metres) high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate.
4. Lifejackets: Put children under age 5, and weak swimmers, in lifejackets when they are in or near the water. Your child should always wear a lifejacket when she is riding in a boat. You should also wear a lifejacket, even if you know how to swim.
5. Swimming lessons: Swimming lessons are a good way for children to gain confidence and get comfortable around water. Swimming lessons alone cannot prevent drowning.

For more information on drowning prevention, please visit  Safe Kids Canada.

For information on water smart safety tips, please go to: The Lifesaving Society.

To learn more about water safety for the summer, please read:  Water safety: a significant summer concern.

World Population Day: July 11

Each year, the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA), an international development agency, selects a different theme to rally around. This year, the theme for World Population Day 2010 is Everyone Counts, emphasizing the importance of data for development. Data like a person’s age, sex, income, or occupation can reveal significant trends in education, poverty, and reproductive health.

Population data is imperative for progress. World Population Day 2010 encourages people to participate in the census and other data collection efforts. In turn, UNFPA supports countries in using population data to implement policies and programs to reduce poverty, improve reproductive health, and free young people of HIV/AIDS.

People around the world observe World Population Day in different ways. Many UNFPA Country Offices and other institutions mark the day with celebrations, poster or essay contests, sports events, concerts, or other activities to bring attention to population issues.

For more information, please go to: World Population Day.

	CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An emergency first aid method for people whose hearts have stopped.