The Likeliest Places Where Idaho Kids Will Drown This Summer

May was National Water Safety Awareness Month in Idaho. As we prepare to enter July and put the first couple of weeks of summer behind us, the Gem State will, statistically and sadly, see a rise in water emergencies statewide.

Those of us who spend a lot of time out on the water between July and October know firsthand how quickly a day of fun in the sun can turn deadly. I've witnessed rescue crews in action on the Snake River more times than I care to, and nothing is worse than when these emergency staffers have to pull drowning victims from the waters of Idaho.

We need to protect our youth this summer, particularly around a major source of drownings that kids shouldn't be playing around in the first place.

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Southern Idaho Irrigation Canals Are A Major Source Of Drownings In The Region

Irrigation canal   Credit: Unsplash (Chris Everiss)

According to details shared by the Idaho Press Tribune and Idaho News 2, the Gem State has one of the highest rates of canal deaths nationwide, and was second to only Florida in these types of drownings in 2017.

READ MORE: Safety Teams Issue Drowning Warnings For These Idaho Waterways

As a general rule, kids should not be allowed near state irrigation canals. The depths can be deceptive, and oftentimes, currents are moving faster than they appear. State safety officials often announce the dangers of swimming in these canals prior to the start of summer vacation, and there's a reason why they do this.

Let's keep Idaho kids safe and prevent them from entering area irrigation canals.