Editorial: In brutal summer, recommit to water safety
It’s becoming almost routine this summer to hear about tragedies on Chicago-area waterways, and the death of a 10-year-old Libertyville boy near Lake Villa last weekend emphasizes again the dangers that lurk even in our times of relaxation and pleasure.
Sixteen people have drowned in the collar counties this year, compared to 22 in all of 2011. That doesn’t even include Cook County. The biggest spike is in Lake County, where serene lakes and rivers beckon boaters and swimmers.
Our region isn’t alone. Minnesota is seeing its highest number of drownings in a decade, and Michigan reports an increase as well. More than ever, it’s a public health issue.
Two months ago, we urged swimmers and boaters to enjoy the pools and waterways the suburbs offer fans of the outdoors, but to do so wisely. We cited reports of accidents caused by lousy choices such as boaters driving drunk and people swimming where signs said not to. Since that editorial was published, the wave of drownings has matched the summer’s wave of heat. One can surmise that the high temperatures and sunny skies are contributing.
But of course it’s never routine when a life is lost. As each death is reported, the stories of grief behind the scenes are not always heard. There’s the 19-year-old Antioch man who drowned last month in Homer White Lake — less than a block from his home. Earlier, a 63-year-old retired teacher from Berwyn jumped off a pontoon for a swim with a friend in Loon Lake in Lake County. After the boat floated away from them, his companion was rescued, but the man drowned and his body wasn’t recovered for days.
And there’s the 28-year-old Chicago man who died in Deep Lake near Lake Villa while attempting to swim to shore from a boat. He had told his friends he was a good swimmer.
The drownings prompted the Lake County Health Department to issue a warning and offer prevention tips. Yet with all the advice, the warnings, the tragic news reports, drownings continue to happen. If the issue hasn’t gotten your attention yet, it’s time to take notice.
Hindsight tells us that any particular drowning could have been prevented. Maybe a child got out of a parent’s view or a young man overestimated his swimming ability. Was alcohol involved? If only the victim had worn a life jacket. What if the buddy system had been used?
But blame isn’t what we’re after. Looking ahead to the last few weeks of the boating and swimming season, a much more diligent effort to prevent further tragedies is what’s needed. We urge swimmers and those watching them to be extra vigilant. Know the high-risk groups. Males by far outnumber female drowning victims. Among children, those ages 1-3 are at the greatest risk, as are people with a lower socioeconomic status.
Look out for yourself and others around you. How nice it would be to greet the fall season without having to report any more summer fun turned to heartbreak.