The Summer’s Top 7 Hazards

Our three rivers and Lake Murrray are ripe for summer accidents.

One of the most dramatic was the collision on the lake that cost two lives last year.

A fishing boat collided with a bigger power boat in the dark on April 21, 2017.

Department of Natural Resources officers found that Danny Phillips and Shawn Lanier were killed when their smaller boat hit Bruce Dyer’s bigger boat. Alcohol was believed to have been involved in the collision.

DNR officers say the most costly mistake by far is drinking and boating with the added risk of being hit by propellers or drowning.

Your children may not like it but they need to wear life jackets at all times on board.

If you treat them like badges of honor, they will wear them more willingly.

Wearing one yourself sets an example for them.

Having jackets under the seat fulfills the law but in an accident those who don’t know how to swim won’t be able to get to your children in time to help them.

When you are going to be out on a boat or at the beach with a child, basic lifesaving skills are a must.

The American Red Cross offers swimming and emergency life saving class and online training. Details at www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming

Online courses are convenient and the classes usually are one or a half day,

You also can find first aid, CPR and other emergency lifesaving courses with the American Heart Association’s ECC (Emergency Cardiovascular Care) Class Connector online at americanheart.org.

It’s easy to become complacent and bend the rules but be aware of your surroundings, the weather and follow a few simple water safety tips to protect those you love, such as:

• Always swim with a buddy – whether you’re at home, at the beach, at a lake, a public pool, a hotel or another swimming spot.

• Swim in designated areas only, and swim only when a lifeguard is on duty.

• Wear a life jacket on board, even on calm days.

• Actively supervise your children near water and never leave them unattended – even for a moment.

• Install barriers around your home’s pool and spa.

• Keep life preservers at your pool and on your boat.

• Make sure that everyone in your family knows how to swim well.

• Before boating, swimming or going to the beach, set ground rules for safety and enforce them.

Avoid alcohol in swimming, boating and participating in water sports.

Next: Drink plenty of water in the outdoors.