Not everyone grows up around the water or takes swimming lessons. But almost everyone loves to be around the water. This is true of many newcomers (those who weren't born in Canada), who are more likely to be unable to swim. Newcomer families need water safety tips and reminders in their own languages to help them understand risks and how to stay safe around the water.
Newcomers of all ages benefit from water safety education and learning to swim via swimming lessons and our Swim to Survive® program.
Did you know?
- Newcomers are at a greater risk of drowning than people born in Canada.
- Newcomers are more likely to not know how to swim than people born in Canada.
- Fact sheet - English / French
Safety information and drowning statistics
Find more information about newcomers in the Drowning Research section of this website.
Here's what you need to know to have fun in the pools, lakes and rivers of Ontario:
- Swim with a buddy - never alone.
- Learn to swim - it's a life skill!
- adult and child swim lessons are available at your local pool and can be very affordable.
- Swim to Survive
- At a minimum, learn the skills to achieve the Lifesaving Society's Swim to Survive® standard - roll into deep water, tread for 1 minute and swim 50 m.
- Learn as a family.
- Swim only in areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Weak or non-swimmers should wear lifejackets.
- Always have an adult watching closely when there is no lifeguard.
- At home, pick one adult to watch the pool at all times.
- Parents, you are your child's lifeguard!
- Always stay within arms' reach of your child.
Tips AND videos for parents in multiple languages to help everyone stay safe and have fun.
Tips for Parents of children under 5 in multiple languages.
Tips for Parents of children 5-12 in multiple languages.
Swim to survive videos in multiple languages.
Learn to Swim
Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. The Lifesaving Society offers training programs from learn-to-swim through advanced lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.
Our Swim for Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that will last a lifetime.
Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program. Swim to Survive is not a substitute for swimming lessons; instead, it defines the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. People of all ages should be able to perform the Society's Swim to Survive standard.