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BC  

Have fun, but be careful

Summer is here and that means it's time to head to the beach.

While frolicking in the Okanagan's many lakes is fun, people are being urged to be careful.

Statistics collected by the BC Coroners Service show a spike in drowning deaths each summer, with the numbers beginning to increase in May, and continuing to rise through August.

While preliminary data from 2016 show a decline in the number of accidental drownings, the BC Coroners Service already is investigating five drowning incidents that occurred this month in British Columbia waterways.

Data from 2016 show 47 accidental drownings, the lowest number in the past decade, down from 80 in 2015.

More than one-third of those deaths occurred in B.C.'s Southern Interior.

"All boaters and paddlers should wear a personal floatation device (PFD), not just have one in the boat with them," said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. "Additionally, children, non-swimmers and weak swimmers should wear a PFD anytime they're in or near the water. People don't realize how quickly they can get into trouble, particularly when they're in unfamiliar waters."

Avoid mixing alcohol with swimming, boating or any water-based activity. Impairment greatly increases the chances of an accidental drowning.

"This is the time of year when we see too many carefree days on the water turn to a tragedy due to alcohol, poor judgment or a momentary lapse in supervision of children," said Dale Miller, executive director, Lifesaving Society - BC & Yukon Branch. "Although figures are improving, we are working toward a province that is free from drowning."



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