WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – With the warm summer weather, many people choose to go swimming to cool off from the sun.
If you are trying to beat the heat and go swimming this summer, besides pools, many people find themselves in a body of water, like a pond, river, or lake.
These larger bodies of water are sometimes not protected, meaning there aren’t lifeguards or life-saving devices. West Springfield Fire Lt. Tony Spear has some safety tips to keep in mind to stay safe.
“The big things that I would really emphasize to people is–know the body of water you are using, be familiar with it, or at least be with somebody that is familiar with it,” said Spear. “The other two things are–you are going to want to focus on letting someone know and be aware of your skill level. If you haven’t swam or you don’t know how to swim, definitely don’t jump into the river or body of water.”
Spear said there could 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. He also mentioned being mindful of currents in rivers and not jumping right in.
It is important to always go with at least one other person and not alone. Make sure you let someone know your location and approximately how long you expect to stay and always have a phone with you.
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