Water Safety Tips
In recent days, there have been incidents in the state where people have gone missing while boating, tubing, and swimming. Because of the recent heavy rains throughout the state, our rivers and streams are at higher water levels than normal and are moving faster.
Two weeks ago Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a public safety alert cautioning residents and visitors about possible unsafe water conditions in Connecticut’s rivers and streams.
While there is no active alert at this time, many of Connecticut’s rivers and streams continue to experience higher than normal water levels and faster than normal currents, due to the continued heavy rains. Anyone near the water or planning to go into the water needs to be aware of the conditions and use caution.
Canoeists and kayakers should scout all waterways before attempting to run the swollen rivers or streams. Waterways may have dramatically changed since the last time it was traveled due to high water, strong currents, and moved debris. Debris in swift moving water may catch a boat and force it and its passengers under the water, causing serious injuries or drowning.
Boaters on larger bodies of water and especially on rivers should also keep a sharp eye out – debris may lay just under the surface of the water and can be very difficult to spot in the muddied waters.
With the warmer weather finally upon us, many of you will be engaging in water recreation and activities. Water-related activities are some of the most enjoyable ways for adults and children to spend time together, especially in the summer.
Please take a moment to review these important water safety tips, to ensure that you and your families are safe while spending time and engaging in activities this summer.
Parents, watch your children.
It only takes seconds for a child to drown, and this can occur silently once they’ve gone underwater. Please ALWAYS watch your children when you are in or around water. If you are more than an arm’s length away, you’ve gone too far!
Set water safety rules.
Rules should be established for the whole family based on swimming abilities (i.e., inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
Be careful of underwater hazards, and don’t dive in.
Swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. Be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, and ocean undertow.
Watch for changing weather.
Summer weather can change rapidly. Pay attention to weather forecasts, watch for changing skies, and get out of the water. Always be alert for flooding and rising rivers following storms. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning!
Always swim in designated areas.
Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
Learn to swim.
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. Children or inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” .
too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
For more information on water safety, please visit:
Please contact me regarding this or any legislative issue at 800-842-1423 or john.piscopo@housegop.ct.gov.
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