The Canadian Red Cross says there were at least 39 unintentional water-related deaths in the Atlantic provinces this year — a type of death that the organization says is often preventable. The Red Cross made a number of suggestions to prevent water-related deaths, which include not consuming alcohol or drugs while swimming or operating a vehicle. “Red Cross statistics also exclude known or suspected suicides, which are not considered ‘unintentional’ deaths,” read a news release. The Red Cross said there was a “significant decline” this year in water-related deaths from the five-year average in New Brunswick — from nine to four — while P.E.I. All we can do is try to learn from what happened to others.” About 525 Canadians die each year in unintentional water-related deaths, the Red Cross said.

Source: thestar December 30, 2018 16:18 UTC