World Drowning Prevention Day: Tips for water safety this summer

Date:2025-07-25 23:14:21 Category:world Views:3 Comment:0

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – It will be another hot and humid day, and one of the best ways to beat the heat during the summer is to go swimming.

Friday is World Drowning Prevention Day, to raise awareness about drowning and measures to prevent it, especially since it is the leading cause of death among children. It serves as a reminder to be aware of hazards and the weather before heading out in a body of water.

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Make sure children know how to swim and are swimming with a buddy. If they do not know how to swim, make sure they are wearing the proper life jacket. Parents are advised to go over safe swimming behaviors with their children before heading to the pool.

Larger bodies of water are sometimes not protected, meaning there aren’t lifeguards or life-saving devices. There could also be vegetation at the bottom of many ponds and lakes in the area that could entangle a swimmer and keep them underwater for longer than they expect.

Police ask that you avoid areas with signs that say ‘no swimming’ and find locations where lifeguards are present. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you think someone is drowning.

Several Massachusetts communities have endured these tragedies this year. Recently, a swimmer from Chicopee drowned in Conway on Tuesday.

To prevent these deaths from continuing, Baystate Health has provided a list of tips to follow when in the water:

Never swim alone.
Take swimming lessons.
Make sure you are ready to respond in case of an emergency: have an emergency phone near the body of water and learn how to perform CPR.
Have a pool fence and keep toys away from the pool. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
Know the depth of the water and the water temperature before swimming. Cold water can tax the body and make it difficult to swim well.
Do not swim if you have been drinking or if you have taken medication that alters your medical status.
Toddlers should wear proper swim diapers designed to contain urine and feces.
Empty all buckets, containers, and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside-down and out of children’s reach.
Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating.

If you are headed out on a boat this summer, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office shared the following safety tips:

Properly wear a life jacket, even if you can swim.
Observe no‑wake zones, especially near marinas.
Watch your speed relative to surroundings and other boats — especially on busy weekends and holidays.
Bring a Marine VHF radio and remember: Channel 16 is the designated distress channel.
Anchor from the bow, never the stern; use anchor line at least five times the water depth.
Know current and upcoming weather conditions — never swim or boat in areas with strong, moving currents.
Beware of “boater’s hypnosis”: after just four hours of exposure to sun, vibration, noise, wind and motion, your reactions slow nearly as much as when legally intoxicated — and combining that with alcohol increases the danger.

Massachusetts boating law also says that you cannot operate a motorboat within 150 feet of a swimming area or at high speeds in congested areas. Following these guidelines will help ensure a safe and enjoyable summer out on the water.

WEATHER ALERT: Strong thunderstorms Friday

22News Storm Team Forecast Discussion

A Heat Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, it will feel like it’s around 100 degrees. There is also a chance for showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening. Some storms could be on the strong to severe side with heavy rain, damaging winds, lightning, and hail.

Saturday is looking dry with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80s.