Water Safety

Every drowning death is preventable. Take time to educate yourself and those around you to ensure you stay safe and have fun around the water.

Drowning Prevention Week

July 19 to July 25, 2026

Just keep learning. It is important to gain comfort and water-smart skills. Swimming is a lifesaving skill. Learn together, take swimming lessons as a family, and make swimming a shared experience. 

Time Activity Location
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Games, prizes and water safety information. 

Coast Guard on site for tours and to answer questions. 

 Turkey Point Marina
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All ages and skill levels welcome, including preschoolers, swimmers, and adults.

Participation is first-come, first-served.

Arrive before 3:00 p.m. to complete a screening form and brief skills assessment.

Lesson times:

  • Family lessons, from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Group 1, from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m
  • Group 2, from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Parents participate in family lessons to help children build comfort and confidence in the water.

Popsicles for all participants. 

 Delhi Kinsmen Pool

Active supervision in and around water is essential. Consider not only public pools and lakes, but also backyard pools and bathrooms.

Kids need more than just a lifeguard; they need you. Always directly supervise children in, on, and around the water. If you’re not within arm’s reach, you’ve gone too far.

Time Activity Location
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Games, crafts and water safety information for adults and children.

 Delhi Early ON Centre
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Games, prizes and information.  Wilkinsons Your Independent Grocer, Delhi

Most drownings occur in natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. Explore open water with others, do your research, and make a plan to prepare ahead of time.

Time Activity Location
10:00 a.m. 

Games, crafts, and water safety information for both adults and children

 Waterford Early On Center
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Waterford Ponds Pop Up

Open water safety information, games and prizes.

 Waterford Ponds

 

Never swim alone. Regardless of how strong a swimmer you are, accidents can happen. Always swim with a trusted buddy who can provide assistance in case of an emergency.

 

Time Activity Location
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Games and prizes.

 Delhi Kinsmen Splash Pad

 

Don’t just pack it, wear your lifejacket.

Buckle up — whether you’re boating, paddling, or fishing, lifejackets save lives.

Time Activity Location
10:00 a.m.

 

 Port Rowan Early ON Centre
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lifejacket clinic

Hands-on experience trying on lifejackets, learning about important safety features and the potential consequences of not wearing a lifejacket. Learn how to find a lifejacket that fits properly, the importance of bright colours, and the effects of cold water.

 Wilkinsons Your Independent Grocer, Delhi

 

Reach, throw, don’t go. Learn what to do in the case of an emergency.

Time Activity Location
1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Rescue Day Open Swim

Water-rescue themed games and prizes

 Delhi Kinsmen Pool

 

Join us for a day full of drowning prevention information and demonstrations. Learn how to prevent drowning by being water smart and water safe.

Explore emergency vehicles and participate in various activities.

Time Activity Location
12:00 p.m.- 4:30 pm

Drowning Prevention Day Event

  • Activities for all ages
  • Explore emergency vehicles
  • Free popsicles and refreshments
  • Free water safety games and prizes
  • Free Lifejacket clinic – hands-on experience trying on lifejackets, learning about important safety features and the potential consequences of not wearing a lifejacket.
  • Learn how to find a lifejacket that fits properly, the importance of bright colours, and the effects of cold water.
 Delhi Kinsmen Pool
1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. FREE Open Swim Delhi Kinsmen Pool

Stay safe around the water

Knowing how to swim is a life skill and essential to staying safe and having fun in the water. Check out these water safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Water safety video

Water safety tips

  • Swimming lessons are the best way to learn essential survival skills to recover from falling into deep water.
  • Think you’re too old for lessons? There are programs designed for teens and adults as well.
  • With so many lakes and rivers, Canadians of all ages are avid boaters. Always wear a life jacket. It could save your life.
  • Never swim alone, regardless of age and skill level. Always swim with a buddy. A buddy can throw you a buoyant aid if you get into trouble.
  • When possible, wait into unknown waters to prevent injury.
  • Backyard pools are a great place to make family memories, but remember, if you are not within arms reach of your child in and around the water, you’ve gone too far.
  • Drowning can occur in as little as 10 seconds and is silent.

To learn more about water safety:

Boating safety

In Canada, approximately 100 Canadians die each year while boating. The overwhelming majority of victims in these incidents were not wearing lifejackets/PFDs (personal flotation devices). Transport Canada has opened a public consultation for feedback on an amendment to legislation that would require recreational boaters to wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating. This mandatory wear legislation will reduce drownings in Canada and save lives. We need your support.

The Lifesaving Society supports mandatory wear of lifejackets/PFDs for all ages in all recreational vessel types 6 metres or less in length. This includes powerboats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and sailboats.

Reduce drownings in Canada by telling Transport Canada that you support mandatory wear. For more info, visit  Let’s talk: Making personal flotation devices/lifejackets mandatory for recreational boaters

Contact Us

Recreation

Phone: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 2233