The representative of the VUGD Agrita Vītola, in an interview with Latvian Television, said that, since the beginning of the year, 34 bodies of drowning victims were recovered in waters around Latvia, two of which were found on June 6.
Therefore, she urges all bathers to be careful. “In most cases, the cause might have been sheer recklessness,” Vītola said.
Besides, the torrid heat might belie the actual low temperature of the water. Rapidly plunging into the water might of itself bring about an accident.
Parents of small children should be especially alert. The representative of VUGD urged parents not only to look after children but also to talk to them about safety: “Children grasp everything very quickly, and are themselves able to point out if their parents are acting irresponsibly.”
Ja brīvdienās plānojat atpūtu pie ūdens, ievērojiet drošību❗️
— VUGD (@ugunsdzeseji) June 7, 2019
▶️Bērni vienmēr jāpatur redzes lokā, bet, ja esat pārkarsis saulē, ūdenī ejiet lēnām. Ar piepūšamajiem matračiem peldēties var tikai tik tālu, cik citi var labi redzēt un nepieciešamības gadījumā steigties palīgā. pic.twitter.com/Q4whVTucXy
In 2017 the VUGD pulled 102 bodies from the water. The figure rose to 118 last year. There are traditionally two main seasons for drownings - in late winter when fishermen venture onto unstable ice and in high summer when people try to cool down.
