Lake Drownings Up: Heat To Blame?

Lake Drownings Up: Heat To Blame?

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Drowning fatalities are up in Lake Michigan this year — and water safety experts blame the extra hot summer weather. 

Dave Benjamin is with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which estimates that 29 people have drowned so far this year in the Lake. Five more people are in critical condition. The peak was in 2012, when 50 people drowned in Lake Michigan. 

Benjamin says the fatalities occur when people swim, boat or fish, and that recreational activities may be up this year because of the unusually hot and dry weather.