Swimming Season Off To Scary Start On North Shore: Essex DA

SALEM, MA — Multiple "fatal or near-fatal situations involving kids in pools in recent weeks" are sparking a warning from the Essex County District Attorney's office over summer swimming dangers.

Essex County DA Paul Tucker issued the warning Monday that reminds residents of all ages not to swim alone and provides tips for making time in or near the pool as safe for children as possible.

Parents of very young children should install fencing or barriers that prevents access to a pool when parents are not present to supervise, Tucker said.

Parents of older kids should discuss the importance of staying out of the water when a responsible adult overseer is not present and to maintain awareness of those swimming around them as there can be a tendency in large crowds to ignore situations that might be a problem in the assumption that someone else will react.

Swimmers of all ages can help prevent unexpected issues by keeping a flotation device on hand while in the water.

"When it's everybody’s job to monitor kids in the pool, unfortunately, it can become 'nobody's job," Tucker said, "so one of the most impactful water safety practices parents can implement is making sure that, at any given time, a single, responsible, and focused water safety monitor is assigned."

Water safety monitors should be familiar with the signs of drowning, which often do not match the splashing and screaming depictions of drowning in movies and TV.

"If a swimmer is quiet or in distress, ask if they are OK," Tucker said. "If they cannot verbally respond with an affirmation that they are doing well, take immediate action and assume it is a drowning risk unless or until proven otherwise."