By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Franklin County, MA) In the wake of the drownings of Worcester Police Officer Emmanuel Familia and a 14 year old boy in Green Hill Pond on Friday, Orange Fire Rescue is warning swimmers regarding the water temperatures they may encounter despite the summer heat.
“With the air temperature warm and soon to be hot, it can give a false sense of security and you may want to jump right in,” read the warning. “But beware that lakes, ponds, and rivers can still have colder temps this time of year that you may not anticipate and your body may react in a way you aren’t prepared for.”
According to the National Weather Service, cold water up to 55 degrees can be enough to put the body into shock and cause deadly consequences if swimmers are not prepared for sudden exposure. To view cold water warnings from the National Weather Service, click here. The danger of cold water increases when the water is rough or when unplanned emersion occurs.