NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN (WAOW) -
Authorities say number of water
related incidents in our area is a trend that needs to stop.
The teen injured after going through
the dam at Lake Wazeecha is the eighth water related incident since spring in
our area.
There have been seven deaths throughout
Marathon, Wood and Portage Counties.
The most resent—a man who officials
say died of an apparent heart attack in Lake Wazeecha on Wednesday. The other
six were all ruled death by drowning.
"When it's hot like this, your first
instinct is to head for the water," Detective Sergeant Tony Babl with the
Stevens Point Police Department said.
More folks may be headed out on the
water because of the extreme heat. But officials say that doesn't mean they
should be any less cautious.
"One water related death is too many,"
Wisconsin Rapids Paramedic Matthew Feder said.
Two of those deaths were in Stevens
Point in the last two months. But before this year, officials say there hasn't
been a drowning in the city since 2007.
"There seems to be a trend, but
hopefully not. Maybe people are more aware of it now that these tragedies have
happened," Babl said.
Officials say staying hydrated is the
number one thing you should do in the heat. Another is wearing a life jacket.
"While it's not fun and it's not
comfortable, wear a life preserver. If something is going to happen, a life
preserver will help if you fall into the water," Marshfield Deputy Chief Robert
Haight said.
That's something Katrina Rapacz says
she's doing to protect her family.
"Make sure they have life jackets with
them and be careful and cautious," Rapacz said.
Officials say
drinking water, swimming with a partner and wearing a life jacket can help save
your life this summer.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.53fabf6cc033f17a2b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=a6c9f837443d0210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-guide/water-safety-guide/
