Open Water Safety Tips

Planning on a trip to the beach or lake this summer?

Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. A Water Watcher card can help designate a responsible adult to keep an eye on kids in the water at all times. Teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time. Swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids, but are not appropriate to be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. A large portion of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.