Strathroy, ON – For the second year, Plains Midstream Canada donated $5,000 to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) to provide support for its Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP), enabling the education program to be offered free of charge to local schools earlier this year. This program promotes public safety and increases awareness among children about the hazards of spring floodwaters.

“Accidents are preventable with education and increased awareness. During the spring period of freeze-thaw, waters are cold, deep, fast-flowing, streambanks are slippery, and ice is unstable. Through our annual Spring Water Awareness Program, we visit classrooms to talk with children about the importance of avoiding potentially dangerous situations and provide them with safety guidelines,” explained Sharon Nethercott, Conservation Education Coordinator at the SCRCA.

Earlier this year, through the Spring Water Awareness Program, Sharon Nethercott, Conservation Education Coordinator at the SCRCA did an experiment with the class to help students understand the effects of cold water on the body. Students performed dexterity and temperature tests before and after briefly holding their hand in an ice bath then made connections to how it would affect their ability to respond in an emergency situation.

 

 

 

 

“It’s important to us to contribute to causes and services which lead to stronger, safer and healthier communities where our employees live and work,” said Ian Forster, Community Relations Advisor at Plains Midstream Canada. “We are very proud to continue supporting SCRCA’s Spring Water Awareness Program. It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the program offers by educating kids about water safety and safe enjoyment of our region’s watercourses.”

“We appreciate the continued sponsorship from Plains Midstream Canada for our Spring Water Awareness Program. Because of their generous support, we are able to offer this important public safety program free of charge to local schools,” said Brian McDougall, General Manager of the SCRCA.

Springwater safety tips for children and families:

• Always tell an adult where you are going.
• Always have a friend with you, they can seek help if you get in trouble.
• Stay away from lakes, streams, ditches, and riverbanks – their waters can be deep, fast-flowing, and cold. It is extremely difficult to swim wearing winter clothing and these dangerous waters can quickly cause hypothermia.
• Never play around dam structures or culverts – they can have strong water currents that can be hard to escape.
• Never play near or on ice without adult supervision. Ice on rivers and lakes can be dangerous and unstable.
• If you have permission and are with a parent on or around water, wear a Personal Flotation Device – even adults need to wear one.