Arlington Police Urge Water Safety After Spate Of Drownings In MA

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Police Department is advising residents to remain vigilant while swimming this summer in light of several drownings across Massachusetts this month.

Arlington has several bodies of water that attract swimmers and is next to other towns with as many waterways.

"Drowning is swift and silent and even the most experienced swimmer is susceptible to drowning," police said.

One way to prepare for an emergency is learning CPR, police said. The Injury and Prevention Control Program of Massachusetts offers additional water safety tips, information on drowning, where to learn how to swim, responsible pool ownership, boating safety and more. To view these safety tips, visit https://www.mass.gov/water-safety.

Parents should ask these five questions before sending their child on a play date to a friend's home:

1) Does your home or a neighbor’s home have a pool or spa?
2) Do the children plan to be in or around the water?
3) Will there be adults supervising the children if they are in or around the water?
4) Do the supervising adults know CPR?
5) Which barriers exist to prevent children from gaining access to the pool or spa unattended?

Water safety tips for everyone:

• Make sure you know how to swim. If you can’t swim, keep to shallow areas or use a U.S. Coast Guard-guard approved life jacket. For a list of places offering swim lessons, view the mass.gov Learn to Swim! resources.
• Swim with a buddy, never alone, even if you are a very good swimmer
• Swim in designated areas, with a lifeguard present
• Swim sober: avoid drugs and alcohol to stay alert in the water
• Do not dive or jump into water that is not at least 12 feet deep. Enter the water feet-first, never dive head-first into a river, lake or pond. You could severely injure your head and neck, and drown.
• Do not swim during a storm or when there is lightning
• Don’t swim in an area with strong moving currents in the water. Depth, currents, underwater debris and water temperature change constantly in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Yesterday’s safe swimming spot might have hidden dangers today.
• Keep a cell-phone handy and know where you are in case you need to call for help
• When in a boat, wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket

The Arlington Police Department recommends parents take time to talk to their children, including teenagers, about water safety.