National Drowning Prevention Week: A Timely Reminder for Canadian Families

Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives to drowning — most in entirely preventable circumstances. Most recently, the tragic passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner served as a heartbreaking reminder of how powerful and unpredictable water can be.

As part of National Drowning Prevention Week (July 21–27, 2025), we’re raising awareness about water safety.

The Stats Tell a Story

According to the Lifesaving Society of Canada, over 400 Canadians die annually due to drowning. Drowning remains the third leading cause of unintentional death among children under 10, and the majority of incidents occur between May and September, which healthcare workers refer to as Trauma Season.

Many of these tragedies happened during routine activities: boating, swimming in open water, or even in backyard pools.

What’s more concerning is that a majority of drowning victims are not wearing a lifejacket. Frequently, alcohol consumption, unsupervised access to water, and poor swimming ability are also contributing factors.

How You Can Help Prevent Drowning

• Always supervise children near water – even shallow water.
• Wear a properly fitted lifejacket when boating or participating in water sports.
• Avoid alcohol while swimming or boating.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.
• Fence and secure pools and hot tubs at home.

Possible Legal Consequences

While drowning is often thought of as a freak accident, in many cases there are deeper questions of negligence or liability. At Thomson Rogers LLP, we’ve represented families whose lives were changed by incidents that could have been avoided.

In cases involving wrongful death or catastrophic injury, it’s critical to determine whether the incident was preventable, and whether someone – an individual, municipality, or organization – failed to meet a reasonable standard of care.

Protecting Families Through Awareness and Advocacy

We support National Drowning Prevention Week because the best outcome is always prevention. We often see the devastating consequences of inattention, oversight, and lack of safety standards. Our hope is that through education and stronger public awareness, fewer families will experience this kind of loss.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a water-related injury, our team can help you understand your legal options. Book a free consultation today.