Officials sound alarm about water safety as they respond to calls for water rescues and drownings
Nassau police say there have been 12 calls so far this summer and one person died.
Police and lifeguards on Long Island are sounding the alarm about safe swimming and the number of calls they are responding to related to water rescues and drowning.
Nassau police say there have been 12 calls so far this summer and one person died.
Last summer, they responded to nine calls, and two people died.
"Unfortunately, we lost a couple in private pools. We need people to pay attention to the children," says Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
Last week, Suffolk officials said there have been at least 50 calls so far this year.
News 12 has asked the county for an update but has not heard back.
News 12 has previously reported that there have been at least five water-related deaths in Suffolk since the beginning of May.
"You shouldn't be going in a body of water where there's no lifeguards on duty," says Chief of Long Beach lifeguard patrol Rich Borawski.
Lifeguards say people need to pay attention when at the beach or pool.
"Reading signage, not just walking past them and ignoring it is a plus," says Borawski.
If you're going to the beach, especially with kids, lifeguards suggest asking them questions and safety tips.
"They're the ones that know exactly where the rip currents are and where they adjust their flags to avoid those rip currents," says Borawski.
Lifeguards also have tips for public pools and private pools.
"Lifeguards are there that'll watching, but also lifeguards are also watching other kids in the pool," says Borawski. "Do not take your eyes off of them."
Lifeguards also say it's important to understand your own swimming capabilities in all bodies of water.
The state offers free swimming lessons and some of those take place on Long Island at Jones Beach and in Montauk.
