Drownings remain one of the leading causes of accidental deaths: OPP

Officers can be seen on an OPP patrol boat on Lake Simcoe in Barrie, Ont. (Heather Butts/ CTV Barrie)

There is still plenty of time before summer ends to enjoy an outing on the lake, and being safe ensures fun for everyone.

Provincial Police out of Orillia continue to remind people heading out on the water to make one life-saving choice: simply wear your life jacket.

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Last year, drownings remained one of the leading causes of accidental deaths across the province, stated Provincial police, especially among men aged 20 to 60.

According to OPP, 89 per cent of victims in boating-related drownings were not wearing a life jacket. Most of these tragedies can happen in all types of water vessels, like canoes and kayaks, but they are preventable.

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The Drowning Prevention Research Centre of Canada says, 35 per cent of water-related fatalities are linked to swimming, while another 13 per cent are attributed to walking, running, or playing near water.

To be safe near waterways, police ask that you always wear a properly fitted, Transport Canada-approved life jacket; set the example, especially for children and new boaters; and check weather and water conditions before heading out.