The Fourth of July holiday is typically the busiest time of the year for lakes, rivers, and swimming pools across Hennepin County. During the holiday, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to stay safe while enjoying water-related recreation such as boating and swimming.
Create a safety plan in advance and review the rules with your family members. Take time to create a safety plan prior to boating or swimming and have any needed safety equipment, such as life jackets, ready to go. Parents need to maintain visual contact with their children who are in the water -- or near the water.
"Your holiday weekend of boating and swimming should be relaxing and enjoyable," said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek. "That’s why it’s important to wear life jackets and to practice safety precautions to keep everyone safe while enjoying water recreation."
If a child is missing, please check any nearby area of water first. Drowning or serious brain injury happens quickly – often in a matter of minutes. If anyone fails to re-surface from the water or any person is having trouble in the water – please call 911 immediately.
Check out the Channel 12 video with this post about water safety.
(Information provided by a Hennepin County Sheriff Office press release.)
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