Keep safety in mind when taking to the water
May 24, 2009
By Staff
NEW — 6 a.m. May 24, 2009
With the warm weather expected for the holiday weekend, public safety officials want to remind swimmers to be safety conscious. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-death for children. Most drownings occur in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Children are not the only people at risk on the water. Fishing and boating are major factors in drowning among middle-age men. Dangerous currents, cold water temperatures and hidden debris and objects in the water can pose unknown hazards.
The snowpack melt makes this time of year more treacherous than usual for swimmers, rafters, inner tubers and kayakers. In 2008, 21 people died in unintentional drownings in King County. Since 2002, almost one-third — or 32 percent — of all preventable drowning deaths in King County occurred in May and June.
“This is a risky time to swim, tube, or raft in local rivers or lakes,” said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health — Seattle & King County. “Our local lakes and rivers may look inviting in the hot weather of early summer. Unfortunately, this is also when the water is most perilous. Even the best swimmers wearing lifejackets can be injured or die in such rapid, cold water.”
Eastside Fire & Rescue and the public health agency want people to remember a few water safety tips:
- Know the water: Washington waters are cold enough to cause hypothermia even on the hottest summer day; hypothermia can weaken even the strongest swimmer.
- Know your limits: Drowning often happens when a person tires while swimming or when novice swimmers try to keep up with more experienced swimmers.
- Wear a life jacket: When swimming in areas without lifeguards or whenever you boat, operate personal watercraft or participate in other water sports. By law, children under 12 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times when underway in a vessel less than 19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area.
- Always avoid drinking alcohol or using other substances when swimming, boating or participating in other water-oriented sports.
- Closely watch children and keep them within immediate reach when you are near any type of water.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
