**ONTARIO POWER GENERATION MEDIA RELEASE**

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is reminding that this Canada Day long weekend, Ontarians should stay away from dams and hydropower stations. Water near these facilities is dangerous, and members of the public are urged to obey all signs, booms, barriers and buoys placed near OPG facilities.

“OPG has a longstanding commitment to promote water safety in Ontario,” said Mike Martelli, OPG President Renewable Generation. “More than a third of OPG’s power comes from renewable hydro generation, and water levels near these facilities can rapidly change, making them unsafe for boating, fishing or swimming.”

Important water safety tips include:
• To stay safe, you must obey all warning signs, fences, buoys, booms and barriers. They are put there to protect you. The areas inside are dangerous, stay clear of them.
• You may not be able to see the generating facility but the buoys, signs, booms, fences and barriers are there to warn you of the hazards.
• Stay a safe distance outside of warning signs, buoys, booms and barriers when fishing, boating or swimming.
• Stay well back from the edge of waters above and below hydroelectric dams and stations.
• Never stand, anchor or tie your boat below a dam. This is extremely dangerous behaviour. Rapidly changing water levels and flows can take you by surprise.

OPG recently launched a new water safety campaign with a public service announcement featuring the harrowing tale of Dammy the Beaver. An avid angler, Dammy learns firsthand about the dangers of fishing near hydro dams and generating stations. His message to everyone tempted by the waters in and around such structures is to stay clear, stay safe because your life may be on the line. The PSA will run all summer on major Ontario networks, and is part of a broader multimedia strategy promoting water safety around OPG’s dams and hydroelectric generating stations, which includes print and online advertising.