OHIO — For many people, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is reminding residents of boating and swimming safety during the holiday and throughout the rest of the season.
ODNR expects an increase of boats to hit the water Monday, and some communities have already reported high boat traffic.
“Wearing your life jacket and staying alert for water hazards are easy ways to stay safe this Memorial Day weekend,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “But staying safe also means respecting your fellow boaters at public launch ramps, and never mixing alcohol and boating.”
Here are some tips for boating:
- Make sure everyone on the boat is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
- Check to make sure you have essential equipment
- Let loved ones know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
- Have an engine cutoff device, which stops the boat’s engine if the driver unexpectedly falls overboard
- Check the weather forecast
- Be aware of everything happening around you — ODNR said many boating accidents are caused by not doing this
- Know where you’re going and travel at a safe speed
- Don’t drink and drive a boat — BUIs are involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities
- Keep in touch with communication devices in case something goes wrong, such as cell phones, a personal locator beacon or VHF radios
If you decide to hit the beaches Monday, ODNR said make sure to stay alert at all times.
“It’s important that all of our visitors understand the dangers of swimming in dark waters, especially for young children and inexperienced swimmers,” said ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft Chief Glen Cobb. “Paying attention to each other is one of the best ways to make sure everyone has a great day at the beach.”
For swimming, here are ODNR’s tips:
- Keep a sharp eye on young children and inexperienced swimmers while they are in the water
- Swim only in designated areas at the beach and lake — buoys mark safer swim areas and swimming past these markers increases the risk for tragedy
- Use the buddy system — designate one member of your group to stay on the beach to keep watch the others while they swim
- Only use approved life jackets and vests for young children and inexperienced swimmers; all other floatation devices, including all inflatables, are strictly prohibited
- Lakes are not pools — water conditions are murky, and swimmers may not be able to determine how deep the water may be
- Young and inexperienced swimmers should stay in shallower water
- Check water quality advisories at the Ohio Department of Health’s BeachGuard website before leaving for the beach
- Pack all the necessities like cell phones, snacks and sunscreen but leave the alcohol at home — drinking alcoholic beverages and swimming do not mix
- Please make sure all trash is disposed of properly — if there’s no receptacle, please practice “carry in, carry out” disposal
- Remember to take regular breaks while swimming and keep an eye on children
Most park swimming areas are designated “swim at your own risk” and do not have lifeguards on duty. To learn more about safe swimming, click here.
