One of Appleton's favorite public pools, the Mead Pool at Mead Park in southeast Appleton, was shut down today when a fourteen-year-old boy was pulled from the water, unconscious and without a pulse. He's being treated in Madison.

While details of the accident are not available, this is a sober reminder of the reality of danger in the water. With pools and nearby lakes and rivers, the Appleton area offers many opportunities for swimming, tubing, and boating, but strict attention to safety is needed. When boating, always have a life jacket on. While swimming, use the buddy system and constantly check to make sure everyone is doing well. And never, ever go near the water when you've been drinking. It seems like every year someone in the area drowns because they got drunk and fell out of a boat or walked into a river.

Enjoy the water - but stay safe.