At least 12 individuals have drowned in King County this year, highlighting the danger of cold waters in rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound despite rising air temperatures.
Following a troubling number of drownings and close calls this spring, officials in King County are urging the public to exercise caution during Independence Day festivities near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound.
Since the start of the year, at least 12 drownings have occurred in King County, with last year’s total nearly doubling compared to 2018. The risk of drowning is disproportionately higher for Black residents of King County, who have limited access to pools and swimming lessons and are two-and-a-half times more likely to drown than their white counterparts. Recent immigrants and those unfamiliar with the region’s colder and swifter waters face heightened risks due to language and cultural barriers.
The scarcity of lifeguards nationwide has increased the hazards at local lakes. Rivers pose particular dangers during this time of year, as people seek respite from the heat, but the water can still be frigid, leading even strong swimmers to quickly exhaust their stamina and potentially suffer from hypothermia.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in King County. Last year, 29 preventable drownings occurred in the county, nearly doubling the number from 2018.
Experts from the King County Sheriff’s Office, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks have shared potentially life-saving tips for those considering swimming in lakes and rivers this summer:
• Always wear a life jacket.
• Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs before swimming.
• When children are swimming, ensure that there is a designated adult closely monitoring them.
• Inform someone about your planned entry and exit points in a river before leaving home.
• Sometimes, the safest decision is to refrain from entering the water if conditions appear riskier than anticipated.
