NBC12 Viewpoint: Swimming season in Virginia - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

EDITORIAL

NBC12 Viewpoint: Swimming season in Virginia

Posted: Updated:

  • Related Links

  • Don Richards, NBC12 Vice President and General Manager, and NBC12 Educational Specialist Dr. William Bosher address community issues in our Editorial Page.
    Don Richards, NBC12 Vice President and General Manager, and NBC12 Educational Specialist Dr. William Bosher address community issues in our Editorial Page.

  • NBC12 ViewpointNBC12 Viewpoint

  • EDITORIAL

    The devastating tornado which hit Moore County in Oklahoma this week was another reminder of the power and fury of Mother Nature. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, many of whom suffered injuries,
    The devastating tornado which hit Moore County in Oklahoma this week was another reminder of the power and fury of Mother Nature. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, many of whom suffered injuries, lost their lives, and their homes.

  • By: Kym Grinnage email After we learned that the Boston Bomber, terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was buried in Doswell Virginia, many, I am sure, could not understand why anyone in Virginia would allow this man to be buried on
    After we learned that the Boston Bomber, terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was buried in Doswell Virginia, many, I am sure, could not understand why anyone in Virginia would allow this man to be buried on Virginia soil.

  • By: Kym Grinnage email Yes, it's Mother's Day: How can you get it wrong when you take the time to say, hello my darling and Happy Mother's Day? There is no way to forget it; you can't make a mistake,
    How can you get it wrong when you take the time to say, hello my darling and Happy Mother's Day?
    •   

By Don Richards, NBC12 Vice President and General Manager

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - The Memorial Day holiday weekend marks the unofficial start of our swimming season in Virginia.  We had good weather and our news showed adults and kids enjoying themselves in swimming pools and in the James River. The water level in the James was just above the 5 foot level, which by law requires swimmers to wear safety vests.  Most people were unaware of that fact.

In the past dozen years there have been over 1,000 drowning accidents in Virginia. The vast majority of victims - 8 in 10 are male. The highest drowning rate occurred in rivers and lakes but for our youngest children swimming pools are the most dangerous.

The Richmond Red Cross offers swimming instruction and water safety presentations for children and adults. Classes also include general water safety, home pool safety and parent orientation to swim lessons. There are classes for basic water rescue and even lifeguard training is available through Red Cross providers. You can arrange for a group water safety presentation to your youth organization.

The point is -- proper training and respect for the water is imperative for children and adults who spend time in and around Virginia's pools, rivers and lakes. For more information on the Red Cross aquatic safety classes go to their web site at greaterrichmond.redcross.org.

(c) 2009. WWBT, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.