According to preliminary figures, 16 people drowned in Finland in June. Four of the deaths occurred in Eastern Finland. The number of drownings was twice as high as in June last year.
According to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, six of the drownings occurred while swimming and three in connection with boating. In seven cases, the circumstances were not yet known.
The North Savo Rescue Department reminds people that children must be supervised continuously near water. A child should be kept within arm’s reach, and phones should be put aside during supervision.
It is safest to swim with someone else and to take your own swimming ability into account. The rescue department recommends swimming parallel to the shore so that your feet can reach the bottom if necessary.
Life jackets should be put on before leaving the shore, whether travelling by boat, on a stand-up paddleboard or by other means. Alcohol, meanwhile, impairs judgement and increases the risk of accidents.
According to preliminary figures, 39 people drowned in Finland between January and June. The federation’s statistics are based on media reports and publicly available information from the authorities, so the figures may still be revised.