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A report card by the Lifesaving Society says Ontarians still have a lot to learn about child water safety.

A report card released by the Lifesaving Society says Ontario residents need a refresher course on how to keep children safe around the pool, lake or beach.

A survey on water safety and drowning prevention, based on results of a poll commissioned by the Lifesaving Society, gave Ontario residents a 'C' for water safety knowledge. According to Barbara Byers, public education director for the society, that's just not good enough.

"When it comes to water safety and drowning prevention knowledge, Ontario scores really well on some issues," she explains. "However, the results of this report card show there is still a lot to be learned about keeping children safe in and around water."

The report card reveals fewer than half of Ontario residents surveyed know they should stay within 0.6 m (2 ft) of a child, five years old or younger, near water; only 62 per cent of respondents realized drowning can occur silently.

Eighty-two per cent of those surveyed said a four-sided fence is the best way to restrict access to a backyard pool. However, the City of Toronto has the only bylaw in North America requiring fencing on all four sides of a pool; other municipalities require backyard pools be fenced on three sides (the fourth being the house itself).