US officials urge swimmers to be cautious amid surge in drowning deaths
US officials are issuing safety warnings as drowning deaths rise during a summer heatwave. The National Park Service emphasizes the dangers of cold water shock, even in warm weather, following several recent fatalities in rivers and oceans.
Why it matters
Public safety warnings are critical during extreme weather events to prevent avoidable accidents and fatalities in recreational water areas.
A lifeguard rescue boat cruises around the area where a child was swept out to sea in Laguna Beach, California, on 10 June. Photograph: Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register/AP A lifeguard rescue boat cruises around the area where a child was swept out to sea in Laguna Beach, California, on 10 June. Photograph: Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register/AP US news US officials urge swimmers to be cautious amid surge in drowning deaths Recent deadly water-related incidents amid heatwave leads National Park Service to issue water-safety reminders
Prefer the Guardian on Google As a heatwave continues to bake the western and central US, officials are urging swimmers to be cautious when seeking respite from the summer heat, especially amid a score of recent deadly water-related incidents.
Each year, from April to September, drowning deaths rise nationwide, according to 2018-24 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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