National Drowning Prevention Week kicked off in Manitoba with the announcement of a troubling statistic Tuesday.

Children under four in Manitoba are drowning at a rate more than three times the national average, according to Kevin Tordiffe, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society's provincial branch.

The information is based on coroner's reports from across the country.

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said the province is starting a life-jacket loaner program at Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

The program, which lends life-jackets free of charge, is already available at Bakers Narrows, Gyles Lake and Birds Hill Provincial Park.