News Release
| Release Number: | 06-088 |
| Dated: | 6/27/2006 |
| Contact: | Jennifer A. Sowell, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. – Rivers, lakes and streams are popular destinations for Independence Day weekend. Unfortunately some celebrations end tragically due to accidents in, on, and around the water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would like to offer a few water safety tips to ensure your safety this weekend and throughout the year.
Wear your life jacket- Each year about 6,000 people drown in the United States. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 15 to 44 years of age. The majority of these tragedies could have been prevented by simply wearing a life jacket. Please do your friends and loved ones a favor and wear your lifejacket.
Don’t drink and boat- As many as 3,000 lives are lost each year due to alcohol related drowning. Being intoxicated is not necessary for alcohol to be a threat to your safety. Just one beer will impair your balance, vision, judgment and reaction time, thus making you a potential danger to yourself and others. Don’t include alcohol in your outing if you are planning to have fun in, on, or near the water.
Learn to swim and don’t overestimate your skill- Once you know how to swim, ensure that you always swim with a buddy. Don’t rely on inner tubes or water toys to keep you afloat. Know your limits, each year many people drown by overestimating their swimming skills and swimming beyond their limits.
Beware of cold water temperatures- Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. This condition can occur in any season, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where water temperatures remain low throughout the year.
These tips are provided to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend and a great year enjoying the water.
For more information on these and other water safety tips please visit the Corps’ water safety web site at http://watersafety.usace.army.mil/safetytips.htm.