NEW HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Farmington River Tubing in New Hartford was expected to be packed on Wednesday as the business helps people stay cool and beat the heat.Jeremy Harraden, owner of Farmington River Tubing, has a lot of fun at work.“You’re outside in nature with a nice, cool, refreshing river every day. It’s not like sitting in a concrete jungle, for sure,” Jeremy said.Jeremy’s brother Jon helps him run the business. They are focused on making sure everyone swims safely during the heat...
NEW HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Farmington River Tubing in New Hartford was expected to be packed on Wednesday as the business helps people stay cool and beat the heat.
Jeremy Harraden, owner of Farmington River Tubing, has a lot of fun at work.
“You’re outside in nature with a nice, cool, refreshing river every day. It’s not like sitting in a concrete jungle, for sure,” Jeremy said.
Jeremy’s brother Jon helps him run the business. They are focused on making sure everyone swims safely during the heatwave.
“We are super safety conscious,” Jeremy said. “We want everyone to have a good time.”
The Harraden brothers first line of protection is insisting every tuber wears a life vest.
“You might be a great strong swimmer, but when you hit a rock and bang your head you may not be able to swim,” said Jeremy. “If you’re taking care of a small child and then you fall out, how are you going to take care of them?”
Jeremy and Jon also chat with families before they ride to warn people who can’t swim not to go tubing.
Finally, they station up to twenty life guards along the tubing area with a special focus on the three rapids.
“I’ll station them all on the river in different places,” Jeremy explained. “It just depends on the needs.”
Tuesday night, crews pulled a 5-year-old boy out of Lake Housatonic in Shelton. The child showed signs of improvement, but he remained in the hospital as of Wednesday morning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says parents need to keep a close eye on their children in the water, even if they are strong swimmers. It also strongly recommended that they wear life jackets and follow the buddy system in the water.
Sometimes, taking a dip is just too risky. Folks should remember to pay attention to the current.
On Sunday, a New York man drowned in the Housatonic River.
One thing that the folks at Farmington River Tubing and the CDC agree on is that when people are picking out life jackets, they should look on the back for the U.S. Coast Guard seal of approval. That way they’ll know a child will stay as safe as possible.
“There’s no better place to be than floating down the river, and the Farmington River is the best one,” Jeremy said. “It’s clean. It’s fun, great entertainment, and it’s right here in Connecticut.”