VALDOSTA — The drawn-out days and muggy nights of summer beckon homebodies and outdoorsmen alike to prime outboards, cast lines, smoke meats, dive deep and embrace the ever-changing wonders of the natural world around us. The allure of it all can sing louder than the somber accounts of drownings, riptides, maulings, venomous bites and creatures with several rows of teeth.

Summer activities can be scrapbook perfect, and education plays a big role in enjoying an incident-free summer.

The Times has compiled some safety tips for summer.



Boating, Swimming and Fishing Natural Water Bodies

The Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resource recently released a warning, advising boaters to abstain from alcohol and encouraging swimmers to buddy up.

“A lot of times, we see someone who overestimates their own swimming abilities,” said Ranger First Class Keith McDonald. “They get a cramp or get pulled down into the water. Don’t swim alone. Take a swim buddy.  And under no circumstance, should you swim if you’ve been consuming alcohol.”

DNR rangers had issued more than 60 citations for boating under the influence as of the end of last month.

“When it’s hot and people are out on the water, there’s a tendency to over do the alcoholic beverages,” said McDonald. “Boaters need a designated skipper at all times, in place of a designated driver. There needs to be someone sober at all times, whether fishing, boating or swimming.”

In conjunction with abstaining from intoxicants, McDonald recommends more aggressive action to ensure that boating trips stay incident-free this summer.

“A float plan consists of having all of your equipment together in the boat in case an accident happens … whistles, flares and life jackets. You also need to tell someone where you’re going and when you’re expected to be back, so if you’re running late they’ll know that it’s time to start looking for you.”

Here are a compilation of boating safety tips from McDonald and the DNR:

• Designate a sober operator.

• Enroll in a boating safety course.

• Create a float plan.

• Wear a life jacket. Children under 10 years of age are required by law to wear a life jacket while onboard a moving boat, but a life jacket is recommended for everyone.

• Don’t overload your boat with people or equipment. Check on the capacity plate for the maximum weight the boat can safely carry.

• Use navigation lights at all times when boating at night. Check lights before it gets dark.

• Watch your speed. The 100-foot law prohibits operation at speeds greater than idle speed within 100 feet of any vessel. The law applies to vessels of all sizes, unless overtaking or meeting another vessel in compliance with the rules of the road.

• If you’re operating a PWC (Personal Water Craft), do not jump the wake of another boat.

• Make sure all PWC operators are aware of boating laws and know how to safely operate a PWC. As the owner, you can be held responsible.



Swimming Pools and Water Parks

Aside from birth defects, the Centers for Disease Control reports that drowning is the most common cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 and the majority of these unintentional deaths occur in home swimming pools.

Here are a few tips compiled from CDC and PoolSafely.gov data:

• Don’t drink the water. Even the consumption of chlorinated water can lead to RWI (Recreational Water Illness). Furthermore, individual suffering from diarrhea, head lice or other commutable sicknesses, should abstain from swimming to avoid infecting others.

• Keep a constant eye on kids around the pool. Never leave them unattended and keep a phone close by.

• Keep kids away from drains and other openings in and around the pool. Ensure that your pool’s drain covers comply with American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American National Standards Institute standards for pipes and drain covers.

• If your child is missing, even for a moment, check your pool or spa first.

• Learn CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation).

• Install a gate around the perimeter of the pool to prevent kids and non-swimmers from falling in.



Roadways

Authorities from the Georgia State Patrol want citizens to be aware of House Bill 160, known as the “Super Speeder” law, which tags an additional $200 to citations for drivers who exceed 75 miles per hour on two-lane roads and 85 mph on highways. While the law seeks to keep citizens safe from daredevils, there are also things citizens can do themselves to ensure that summer driving doesn’t turn into a horror story.

• Remember to move over. Georgia’s “Move Over” law is meant to protect emergency personnel from the high-speed machines whizzing by just a few feet away. Slow down and move into another lane, if you see an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road.

• Check the integrity of your tires. Summer temperatures can wear down good tires, and cracked tires or worn tires stand little chance on highways in the Georgia heat.

• Change your oil. The wait can be an inconvenience, but oil is your car’s life blood. The summer heat keep can quicken the pace at which your oil thickens, resulting in less fuel efficiency and engine seizures in the most extreme cases.

• Buckle up and drive sober. Safety restraints and sober driving save lives, and that’s why authorities ramp up efforts with sobriety checkpoints and H.E.A.T. (Helping End Aggressive Traffic) units during the summer travel season.

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