Sadly, the risks of visiting waterfalls are real. People have lost their lives at more than 30 waterfalls in Ontario.

This is why this website continuously stresses the need for people to stay safe when visiting waterfalls.

Waterfalls are not waterparks!. People forget that waterfalls are wild places that haven't been designed, engineered, or safety checked.

Drowning: Swimming, wading, sliding, canoeing and jumping look like fun. But each has led to drowning in Ontario. Just stay away from the water.

Slipping: Rocks that are wet, icy or covered in algae can be slippery. Slips lead to falls and drowning. Stay back from the edge, especially where rocks are smooth.

Jumping: Cliff jumping can be fun, provided that the water beneath is sufficiently deep. At waterfalls, the foaming, frothing water can hide rocks that are just below the surface. Don't do it.

Many people have been injured while visiting waterfalls. Most injuries are minor scrapes, bruises or sore muscles. But there have also been very serious injuries that could have been fatal.

In some instances, people have had to be rescued from precarious places by emergency services.

Repeated rescues have resulted in some waterfalls being closed to visitors. This is another reason why it's important to stay out of prohibited areas.