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Keep your family water safe this time of year

BOSTON — There have been more than a dozen drownings in southern New England just this month.

We spoke with a local emergency room doctor about the recent spike and he says there needs to be more focus on water safety.

Especially since it’s high season for spending time on the water.

Boston 25 news has covered 12 drownings in Massachusetts since July 1 in communities across the state. We've also covered two drownings just this month in New Hampshire.

The victims ranged in age from just 2 years old to 70. They've happened in pools, lakes, rivers and at beaches.

“It seems to me like a higher number than usual,” Doctor Chris Baugh said. “But unfortunately, this time of year, we will have a number of drownings."'

Doctor Baugh is the medical director of the emergency department at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

“People have different experience with water safety,” Baugh said.

He says because of that people need to be aware of their surroundings and circumstances on the water.

“I think sometimes people get carried away because they're having a lot of fun or they're not noticing what's going on in their environment," Baugh explained.

That could land them in risky situations.

Doctor Baugh says be water aware, monitor alcohol intake and always maintain direct supervision of children on the water at all times.

In fact, the young person to drown this month was a 2-year-old boy. Investigators say he lost his life at a pool at this home in Lynn July 6.

Just yesterday, a 14-year-old drowned in Fall River.

Doctor Baugh says swimming lessons are very important -- especially for young children.

But he warns, they’re not enough to eliminate the need for precautions with the least experienced swimmers.

MORE: Several drownings in same week raise water safety concerns