'Millie the Muskrat' teaches kids water safety

Elementary schools in Greater Sudbury will receive a Fast Flowing Water Safety curriculum package at the start of the new school year.

As part of the package, students in junior kindergarten to Grade 8 will be introduced to Millie the Muskrat, a mascot who advocates for safety along fast water bodies.

The Junction Creek Safety Committee developed the resources in English, French and Ojibwe as part of the Remember Me, Adam “D” educational campaign. Adam Dickie drowned in Junction Creek Aug. 25, 2007. Twenty-two lives have been lost in Junction Creek and numerous drownings have occurred in other fast bodies of water in the Greater Sudbury area.

“Anything can happen when water levels rise,” Ward 12 Coun. and Junction Creek Safety Committee chair Joscelyne Landry-Altmann said in a press release.

“Children who consider fast-flowing water as a play area during high run off or hazardous periods could suffer dangerous consequences.”

Research shows that education, instead of fencing and signage, is the most effective shoreline safety strategy.

“Rather than physical barriers, the World Health Organization has commented that the most promising drowning prevention strategy for children involves targeted awareness-raising programs, establishing psychological fencing through educational initiatives,” Landry-Altmann said.

Norm Blaseg, director of education with the Rainbow District School Board, praised the Junction Creek Safety Committee for developing the curriculum package in three languages.

“Safety is always our first priority,” Blaseg said.

“These curriculum resources will go a long way in preventing further tragedies. We commend the City of Greater Sudbury, the many educators, students and sponsors who came together to develop the lesson plans.

“Millie the Muskrat is a great role model for shoreline safety who will appeal to children and adults alike.”

The curriculum package has activities for various grade levels, information on the dangers of fast-flowing waters and safety tips.

The kit also includes a DVD, a Millie the Muskrat puppet, maps of the waterways in the City of Greater Sudbury, a list of vocabulary, stories, colouring books and information to “stay clear, stay safe” around dams, hydroelectric stations and surrounding waterways.

One-third of the City of Greater Sudbury is covered by water. There are hundreds of kilometers of rivers, creeks and streams in the Greater Sudbury area.