People came out in numbers to spend the hot summer day at the Oittaa beach in Espoo on 27 June 2020. (Heikki Saukkomaa – Lehtikuva)
PEOPLE in Finland flocked in great numbers to bodies of water to boat, swim and sunbathe as temperatures lingered over the 25°C-mark for almost three weeks in June, including – for the first time in 20 years – over Midsummer.
The warm weather unfortunately brought with it a high number of drownings, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
10 water-safety tips from SUH:
- Always wear a life jacket when near or on water.
- Do not mix swimming, boating or other water-related activities with alcohol.
- Look after children closely when near, or on in water; always keep them within arm’s reach.
- Check the water for hazards such as rocks before diving in.
- Evaluate your swimming skills realistically and swim accordingly.
- Swim along the beach to make sure your feet can always reach the bottom.
- Always bring a friend with you to sauna and swimming.
- Go through the rules of water-related activities with children.
- Check the condition of your boat and make sure it is properly equipped.
- Remember to use common sense and clear judgement – the right kind of attitudes promote safety.
The Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH) on Wednesday revealed that a total of 18 people – 14 men and 4 women – drowned in Finland in June. The month also had an unusually high number of close calls, as thousands of people congregated on the most popular beaches on the hottest days of the month.
Eight of the drownings took place in Southern Finland, six in Western and Central Finland, two in Northern Finland and one in South-west Finland. As many as seven of them took place over Midsummer.
Eight of the victims were swimming, two boating and one scuba diving, while one fell into the water. The course of event leading up to the six other drownings remains unknown.
“Everyone who drowns is the loved one of someone else,” reminded Niko Nieminen, a communications expert at SUH.
Hietaniemi Beach in Helsinki alone saw as many as three people die in the water in a little over a week in June, highlighted Helsingin Sanomat. Poor swimming skills were a common denominator in the cases, according to Helsinki Police Department.
Nieminen on Wednesday expressed his exasperation with the cases, reminding that most drownings could be prevented.
“Lifesavers saved a countless number of people from water, but they cannot see everything. A patrolled beach does not mean that people are not responsible for their own safety,” he stated. “Everyone should have the information and skills needed to save themselves and others from the water.”
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the tragic loss of 18 people in the drowning incident in Finland. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.
PEOPLE in Finland flocked in great numbers to bodies of water to boat, swim and sunbathe as temperatures lingered over the 25°C-mark for almost three weeks in June, including – for the first time in 20 years – over Midsummer. The warm weather unfortunately brought with it a high number of drownings, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
It is truly tragic to hear about the drowning incident in Finland. People need to be more cautious and follow water safety tips to prevent such heartbreaking accidents. Let’s spread awareness and prioritize safety near bodies of water.
As a local here in Finland, it’s truly devastating to hear about the tragic drowning incident. The warm weather indeed attracts many to the water, but safety should always come first. Let’s all remember to follow water-safety tips like wearing a life jacket and keeping a close eye on children. Stay safe, everyone.
FinnishSwimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH) provides crucial water-safety tips that all should follow to prevent tragic drownings. Let’s prioritize safety and always be vigilant near water bodies.
It’s truly devastating to hear about the tragic drowning incident in Finland. The warm weather may have lured many people to the water, but it’s crucial to always prioritize safety. SUH’s water-safety tips are essential reminders for everyone enjoying aquatic activities.
As a regular swimmer, I believe that following water-safety tips is crucial to prevent tragic incidents like the one in Finland. It’s heartbreaking to hear about the 18 people who lost their lives due to drownings. Let’s all stay vigilant and prioritize safety when enjoying water-related activities.
Folks in Finland flocked in great numbers to bodies of water to boat, swim and sunbathe as temperatures lingered over the 25°C-mark for almost three weeks in June, including – for the first time in 20 years – over Midsummer. The warm weather unfortunately brought with it a high number of drownings, as reported by Helsingin Sanomat.
As a Finn, I believe that safety should always be the top priority, especially when it comes to water activities. It’s truly devastating to hear about the tragic drowning incident in Finland. Let’s all make sure to follow the water-safety tips provided by SUH to prevent such heartbreaking accidents from happening again.
It’s devastating that so many people lost their lives in this tragic drowning incident. The importance of water safety cannot be stressed enough during hot summer days. My heart goes out to the families of the victims.
People in Finland flocked in great numbers to bodies of water to boat, swim and sunbathe as temperatures lingered over the 25°C-mark for almost three weeks in June, including – for the first time in 20 years – over Midsummer. The warm weather unfortunately brought with it a high number of drownings, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
Do you think enough safety measures were in place at Oittaa beach to prevent such a tragic incident from happening? It’s heartbreaking to hear about so many lives lost.
Did any of the 18 people lost in the tragic drowning incident in Finland follow these water-safety tips from SUH? Were there any specific precautions that could have prevented this heartbreaking event?
People in Finland flocked in great numbers to bodies of water to boat, swim and sunbathe as temperatures lingered over the 25°C-mark for almost three weeks in June, including – for the first time in 20 years – over Midsummer. The warm weather unfortunately brought with it a high number of drownings, reports Helsingin Sanomat. It is crucial for everyone to follow water-safety tips, such as always wearing a life jacket, especially in such hot weather conditions.
It’s so tragic to hear about the drowning incident in Finland. People should always prioritize safety around water, especially during hot summer days. My heart goes out to the families of the victims.