City of Toronto promotes water safety at its Blue Flag beaches

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

==========================================

News Release:  June 3, 2015

City of Toronto promotes water safety at its Blue Flag beaches

The City of Toronto is reminding residents about the importance of following water safety rules when enjoying the city's world-class Blue Flag beaches. Nine of Toronto's 11 public beaches officially open Saturday, June 6 for the summer season.

"Swimming is a great way to stay healthy and keep cool in the summer," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "But we want everyone to be safe when swimming and enjoying other water activities. The City regularly tests beach water quality to ensure Toronto's beaches are safe for swimmers and posts these results online. We also encourage everyone to know the water safety rules to avoid preventable injuries and accidents."

The public is advised to remember the following water safety tips when enjoying outdoor activities this summer:

• Keep your children within arm's reach at all times.

• Swim at a beach with a lifeguard and always swim with a friend.

• If you are a non-swimmer, enroll in a swim class.

• Check the Toronto Public Health Swim Safe website for daily updates on beach water quality: http://www.toronto.ca/health/swimsafe/.

• When out in the sun, wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink lots of water.

Toronto has some of the best beaches in the world, as verified by the Blue Flag Program, an eco-label awarded to beaches that achieve high standards including water quality, environmental education, environmental management, safety and services. Blue Flag awards are only valid for one season and must be reassessed each year before renewal.

"Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Blue Flag program," said Brett Tryon, Program Manager, Blue Flag Canada. "This was a huge accomplishment for the city and was attributed to major improvements to water infrastructure. We're pleased to continue recognizing the safety of eight of Toronto's beaches, including Woodbine Beach."

The City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division operates and maintains all recreation-related beach facilities and amenities. This service includes regular beach grooming and care of washrooms and change rooms. Toronto Police Marine Unit provides lifeguard services.

Beach listing:

Bluffer’s Beach Centre Island Beach Cherry Beach   Gibraltar Point Beach   Hanlan’s Point Beach   KewBalmy Beach   Marie Curtis Park Beach Rouge Beach   Sunnyside Beach   Ward’s Island Beach Woodbine Beaches

(Blue Flag) (Blue Flag) (Blue Flag) (Blue Flag) (Blue Flag) (Blue Flag)  -  -  - (Blue Flag) (Blue Flag)

lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguard in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards will be in place by June 19 lifeguards will be in place by June 23 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6 lifeguards in place June 6

Beaches close end of day Labour Day - September 7.

More information about pool water safety and drowning prevention is available at http://www.toronto.ca/health/swimsafe/homepoolsafety.htm.

More information about beach water quality is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/beaches.html, or download the mobile app.

More information about Toronto beaches is available at http://bit.ly/1AY8GuA.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1Ih9ijv

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

-30-

Media contact: Keisha Mair, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-8020, 416-737-2524 (cell), kmair2@toronto.ca

===============

Follow us on twitter @TorontoComms