Avoiding Ottawa accidents: Know City of Ottawa pool by-laws
I am pleased with and support the City of Ottawa’s new by-laws that aim to reduce the number of pool-related accidents each year in Ottawa. Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death among young children in Ontario, after motor vehicle accidents. According to CBC News, kids under 5 are at the greatest risk of drowning and toddlers face almost half of near-drowning injuries. The article was published according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health.
Although most drowning incidents do not actually involve swimming. In fact, 76% were close to swimming pools, decks or a beach. Thankfully, the city of Ottawa’s new by-laws call for all existing pool gates with a permit to have a padlock. The city of Ottawa believes that education and locked gates are key strategies in reducing Ottawa pool accidents. The city of Ottawa has also updated fencing requirements for wading pools, hot tubs and fish ponds. Under the new City of Ottawa by-law, every fence must be at least 5 feet high.
This summer, to try to enforce the new by-laws, the City of Ottawa will be sending out people door to door to check that all pool enclosures abide by the new by-laws.
We all have a responsibility in this. As a parent, we must educate our children on what to do in and near pools and water. As pool owners, you have the extra responsibility of ensuring that your property is perfectly safe. There were tragic drownings last year in Ottawa. We need to learn from this and ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep our kids and city safe.
Please take the time and talk to your children about pool safety. A regular review of pool safety and drowning prevention could save your child’s life.
