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Health News For North East

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Public Health Sudbury and Districts
Be Water Safe! Be Water Smart! Lifejackets are essential while out on the water

With summer on the way, the Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety coalition is reminding everyone to “Be Water Safe, Be Water Smart!” and to wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device while out on the water.

Drowning and near-drowning incidents continue to be a public health concern in our area. “Working together to support water safety and lifejacket use is one of the most meaningful ways we can prevent serious injuries and deaths on our waterways,” said Stephanie Gray, a public health nurse with Public Health Sudbury and Districts.

Our service area is home to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world, as well as many lakes and rivers. With so many opportunities to enjoy the water, we are working to increase awareness and share resources that help people plan and prepare to enjoy their time safely on or around water. Encouraging the use of lifejackets and personal flotation devices is a key part of this effort.

Tips for lifejackets and personal flotation devices:

Wear your lifejacket—don’t just pack it!
Make sure your lifejacket meets safety standards.
Choose the right size and style based on weight and age.
Make children wear a lifejacket at all times when near or in the water.
Remember that lifejackets don’t replace supervision of children or non-swimmers.
Be a role model—show children how to be safe around water.
Choose a lifejacket or personal flotation device that is designed for your specific activity.
Replace old, ill-fitting, or worn lifejackets.

Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety will continue to strongly advocate for the Government of Ontario to enact legislation requiring all individuals to wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket while on a pleasure boat that is underway or while being towed behind a pleasure boat using recreational water equipment.

Manitoulin Partners for Water Safety is a collaborative initiative that brings together the Municipality of Central Manitoulin, the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the Township of Assiginack, the Town of Gore Bay, Assiginack Family Health Team, Mnaamodzawin Health Services, Ontario Provincial Police, Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Paramedic Services, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service, and Public Health Sudbury & Districts to improve water safety on Manitoulin Island.

For more information on water safety, please visit www.phsd.ca/safety or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ Manitoulin Office at 705.370.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).