Head to the beach to beat the heat

 

NEWMARKET – During the summer months, beaches are a popular destination to beat the heat.  The Regional Municipality of York Community and Health Services Department invites residents and members of the media to attend the third annual York Region Beach Safety event.

 

During this one-day event, public health staff will lead children, youth and families in a series of fun and free activities.  Activities are designed to increase knowledge about summer health-related concerns, including sun safety, outdoor air quality, beach water safety and drowning/injury prevention.    

 

Paramedics from York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will also have an ambulance on display for the day.

 

When:               Friday, July 25^th

                        10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Where: De La Salle Beach (located on Lake Drive East, just west of Brule Lakeway)

                        Town of Georgina

 

Who:                Beachgoers

York Region Community and Health Services staff

 

Stay safe and keep our beaches clean this summer with these tips:

 

·         Keep our water clean – Residents are reminded to pick up their garbage and pet waste, avoid feeding birds at the beach and avoid entering the water with an open wound

 

·         Use Sunsense – Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest; wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher, applied according to directions)

 

·         Use caution – On days when air quality is poor, avoid strenuous exercise, limit outdoor activities and drink plenty of fluids

 

·         Learn to swim – Drowning is the second most common cause of unintentional death in Canada after traffic accidents; children under the age of five years are most at risk and must be closely supervised near water

 

·         Properly dispose of cigarettes – Dispose of cigarettes in ashtrays rather than the street or beach; non bio-degradeable cigarette filters can take 10 to15 years to decompose and chemicals they absorb (such as tar, cadmium, lead and arsenic) can contaminate beach water

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

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