All water craft:

• Check weather conditions before you head out on the water
• NEVER operate ANY craft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• All persons traveling on all forms of water craft - human or motor powered - should wear properly fitting personal floatation devices (PFD) at all times
• Any vessel operating after dusk or before dawn MUST use navigation lights

To prevent introduction of harmful invasive species into our lakes, please CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY your boat if you are moving it from one body of water to another. 

• Follow Ontario's 10/30 rule: throughout provincial waterways there is a 
  speed limit of 10 km/h (6 mph) within 30 metres (100 feet) of shore
• Obey NO WAKE signage for the protection of wildlife and shorelines
  
• Be mindful of wildlife in the water (young loon chicks, for example, cannot dive to escape a boat)
• Watch for swimmers and slower boats at all times, especially in narrows and bays

Water Skiing & Recreational Towing 

(including barefoot skiing, tubing, knee boarding and parasailing) 

• You must have a spotter on board the boat who can keep watch on each person you are towing and communicate with you
• There must be an empty seat on your boat for each person you are towing in case they need to come on board
• The person being towed must wear an approved flotation device (a ‘ski belt’ is not considered to be an approved flotation device).
• You may only tow persons with a personal watercraft made to carry three or more people: the driver, the spotter, and an empty seat for the person being towed
• Check tow ropes regularly for wear and tear
• Establish hand communication signals (eg, faster, slower, stop)
• You may not tow anyone when visibility is poor or from one hour after sunset to sunrise
• No towing boat may be remotely controlled

Human Powered Water Craft

(including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, paddle boats, row boats and shells, kiteboards and sail boards)

• Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
• Make sure you can be seen on the water: choose bright colours for your vessel and PFD
• Carry a buoyant tow rope (15 m long), flashlight, bailer and sound-signal device at all times
• Wear the safety leash on paddle boards and surfers

Viewing Fireworks

• When watching and departing from the fireworks make sure your navigation lights are on (this includes canoes and kayaks)
• Travel away from the location at safe speed, please do not race back to your cottage
• Watch for un-powered watercraft such as canoes and kayaks who may also be attending the fireworks display

1. Learn the skills 
Swimming is an essential life skill in Canada, particularly if you have a cottage; Enroll children in certified learn-to-swim programs, and teens and adults in lifesaving courses such as Swim to Survive or Lifeguarding.

2. Supervise actively
Stay *on guard* (not on your phone!) and *in arms reach* of children and non-swimmers; Swim and play with a buddy, and pay attention, in case one of you gets into trouble.

3. Use caution in open water
Distances can be deceiving, and extra challenges are posed by colder water, wave action, currents, wind and visibility;
Watch for motor crafts and ensure they can see you (eg, use a swim buoy/bag); Don't go out alone.

4. Play safely with recreational toys
Check weight limits of all toys; Remove glasses and jewelry before playing; Anchor or secure slides, platforms & trampolines; Monitor inflatables for air leaks, and check ropes/lines for secure knots or wear and tear; Never swim under large toys.

5. Care with swimming & training aids
Be aware that most training aids are not life saving devices: close supervision is still required for inexperienced swimmers!
Before using paddle/kick boards, fins etc., warm up to prevent injury; learn to secure goggles, masks and snorkels correctly.

6. Wear PFDs when boating & playing
Most drownings occur among those who never intended to end up in the water; even for strong swimmers, a boating accident can cause injury or disorientation that prevents keeping themselves afloat. PFDs save lives, period.

7. Practice safe boating!