US officials urge swimmers to be cautious amid surge in drowning deaths

Recent deadly water-related incidents amid heatwave leads National Park Service to issue water-safety reminders

As a heatwave continues to bake the western and central US, officials are urging swimmers to be cautious when seeking respite from the summer heat, especially amid a score of recent deadly water-related incidents.

Each year, from April to September, drowning deaths rise nationwide, according to 2018-24 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.