Spring will give way quickly to summer and the warmer weather will bring the tragic litany of drownings in ponds, lakes, the ocean and swimming pools.
Two Brockton boys drowned last Saturday in a pond in a park in that city. Their deaths mirror similar tragedies that mark warm weather months in Lynn and surrounding communities.
Drownings are 100 percent preventable. Many occur within sight of land and often yards away from life-saving help. Everyone should know how to swim; you don’t need to be an Olympian or a triathlete to possess the sufficient swimming skills to avoid panicking in the water. A life-saving course can equip people with the ability to safely assist in saving the life of someone who is drowning.
Basic boat safety instruction and grasping the simple concept of never leaving an adolescent or child alone under any circumstance at a pool, pond or the ocean is key to saving lives. Understanding the fatal mixture of alcohol and illegal drugs, and swimming and boating, can also save lives.
After 14 months of pandemic isolation and restrictions, everyone deserves a fun summer that isn’t marred by drownings and boat accidents resulting in lost lives, scarred families and public officials reminding everyone to practice safe water-safety habits.
