Safety reminders when heading to lakes and ponds this season

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Two people were rescued from Loon Pond Monday evening, and suffered from mild hypothermia. One of them was a four-year-old girl.

Heading to your favorite lake or pond can result in serious injuries if you don’t prepare.

It takes almost four times the energy to heat water than it does to heat air. This causes delayed spikes in water temperatures when air heats up rapidly over a short period of time.

Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte told 22News to urge caution to those bringing out the boat early, “With the warmer temperature doesn’t mean the water warms up as quickly especially in the springtime to waters right now is around 50 degrees, just like to remind the public if they’re gonna go out and recreate on the water or any type of water activities so make sure they have a PFD on.”

Massachusetts state law requires canoeists, kayakers, and anyone under the age of 12 to wear a personal flotation device while on the water.

50 degrees may not sound that cold, but an hour in these waters could result in hypothermia or unconsciousness.

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Jack Wu joined the 22News Storm Team in July 2023. Follow Jack on X @the_jackwu and view his bio to see more of his work.

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