Georgia Power offers Water and Boating Safety Tips

As the largest non-governmental provider of recreation facilities in the state, Georgia Power is reminding customers and vacationers if they are planning to head out to the lake for the Labor Day weekend, to remember social distancing, facial coverings, and group-size guidelines as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Health.  In addition, Mark Gordy with Georgia Power offers these water and boating safety tips.  “Supervision, designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.  Prevention, wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in pools.  Look before you leap, never jump into the water without knowing how deep it is and what is below the surface.  Arm’s Length, adults should be arm’s length to children in the water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.  Swim Lessons, knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.  Have a Water Safety Plan, know what to do during an emergency.”  Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 1 to 4 years of age, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health and SPLASH, a longstanding Georgia Department of Natural Resources initiative supported by Georgia Power.