St. Catharines offers free life jackets to encourage water safety

The City of St. Catharines is offering 300 free life jackets to residents this summer in an effort to encourage personal safety while taking part in water-related activities.

The certified and high-quality life jackets, or personal floatation devices (PFD), are being distributed through the Save A Life: PFD Give-A-Way program.

The program is made possible through funding provided by the Hydro One Grant.

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Hydro One created the fund to support organizations and communities that are focused on the physical, psychological and emotional safety of Ontarians.

“By supporting organizations who energize life for so many, we are building safer and more resilient communities,” Hydro One said on their website.

Residents can reserve a life jacket through the City’s ActiveSTC website, and then they are required to attend an in-person fitting on Thursday to ensure they got the right size.

The fitting is happening from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre.

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Lifeguards will demonstrate the correct way to wear a life jacket at the event, and drowning and injury prevention pamphlets will also be available.

Jennifer Green, the aquatics supervisor for the City of St. Catharines, said the City is committed to educating the public on the importance of safety while they are taking part in water-related activities.

“Recognizing the love St. Catharines residents have for spending time around water, the City is taking this opportunity to enhance water safety knowledge and promote responsible practices,” Green said.