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OPG and OPP remind people to Stay Clear, Stay Safe

Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time for one last boat or canoe ride before winter sets in, but it’s no time to let your guard down when it comes to water safety.
Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time for one last boat or canoe ride before winter sets in, but it’s no time to let your guard down when it comes to water safety. Ontario Power Generation and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding people to stay clear of all hydroelectric dams and generating stations.

“The cooler weather this weekend should be ideal for a canoe or boat ride to see fall colours or go for a hike, but it’s no time to stop thinking about water safety rules,” says Frank Chiarotto, OPG’s Senior Vice President Hydro-Thermal. “Water conditions may appear safe, but can change frequently, rapidly and without warning.”

"Our marine officers continue to promote safe boating, in particular the benefits of wearing your life jacket while on smaller boats which are prone to tipping," says OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey. Thirteen people have died in boating-related incidents in 2012, 12 of which involved vessels of less than six metres in length. People falsely assume if life jackets are available in the boat, they have time to put them on when there is trouble. On Labour Day weekend, one small boat tipped over near a dam and resulted in a fatality. Life jackets were in the boat but not worn.Play it safe when heading out on the water.

OPG’s educational water safety materials and television ads are available on: www.opg.com.