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Article: Iowa sets record with 28 drowning deaths; Officials blame heat and soaring gas prices
- Article from:
- Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)
- Article date:
- September 12, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A record number of drowning deaths this year has been blamed on
soaring gas prices and warmer-than-average weather, according to
Department of Natural Resources spokesman Kevin Baskins.
People are vacationing closer to home because of high gas prices
and it has also been exceptionally warm, leading to more people on
the water, Baskins said.
"Unfortunately, when people go out to recreate, safety is the last
thing on their minds," Baskins said. "They are so wrapped up in
having fun, a lot of times basic safety precautions slip their mind."
As of Tuesday, 28 people had drowned in Iowa this year - more than
double the number of drowning deaths last year and a state record. In
2004, there were 11 ...