Middletown Police Offer Swimming, Boating Safety Tips

MIDDLETOWN, CT — (From the Middletown Police Department): Given that the warmer weather is upon us, the Middletown Police Department is encouraging everyone to exercise safety when swimming or boating.

The United States averages approximately 3,500 to 4,000 drowning deaths per year.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths for children ages 1 – 4.

Twenty-three percent of child drownings happen during family gatherings near a pool.

The Middletown Police Department would like to remind you to:

• Refrain from leaving children unattended for any amount of time near any body of water. Drownings can occur in seconds.
• Learn CPR.
• Avoid Alcohol. Do not drink when boating, swimming and supervising children.
• Stay in designated areas. At public pools, beaches, lakes and ponds it is important to remain in areas deemed safe to swim. Pay attention to signage of unsafe areas and conditions.
• Make sure pools follow local codes and ordinances regarding fences, alarms and self-latching gates.

As the weather is getting warmer and more people will be swimming, the Middletown Police Department is wishing everyone a fun and safe summer.