We are lucky to have so many freshwater lakes in our area, and for many of us, spending time on the water is the ultimate Michigan Summer activity. If you are lucky enough to live near a lake, or have access to a boat or watercraft, take a minute to review and adhere to the most important, common sense, summer lake safety tips, so everyone can have a great and safe time in the water.
Wear a flotation device
The State of Michigan requires that all boats and watercraft must be equipped with approved personal flotation devices. All children under 6 years of age must also wear a special flotation device. The State of Minnesota also published some good information about types and styles of flotation devices. It is essential to make sure everyone not only has a flotation device but is wearing one that is appropriate for their body size and weight.
Don’t drink and operate a boat or watercraft
Accidents tend to happen when boat or watercraft operators are impaired by alcohol use. Even though it seems more relaxed and casual, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous decision. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says it best, “No matter whether you’re behind the wheel of a car or operating a boat, don’t drink alcohol and drive. Protect yourself, your family, and your friends. We want everyone to enjoy the many things that make Oakland County such an attractive destination, but we want the (summer) holiday to be a safe one."
Apply water resistant sunscreen
Whether you are relaxing outdoors on land or the water, it’s always a good idea to protect yourself and your family with a quality sunscreen. If you plan on getting wet, opt for something water resistant. There are so many choices in the sunscreen category that choosing one can be daunting. The New York Times Wirecutter has a solid list of sunscreen options, and Huffington Post has a list with more options. Children especially need to wear a good quality sunscreen product whenever they are out in the sun for any length of time.
Wear the right kind of swimwear
As we reported in a post last month about general water safety, wearing the right colored swimwear really does matter. Stick to bright colors! As reported in a USA Today article about swimsuit colors and safety, this one tip could save your child from drowning, “In open water, bright, neon colors, including orange, yellow, and lime green, fared best. Pools were a bit more forgiving overall, but it was pointed out by the testers that “although the darker colors show up on a light pool bottom, they can often be dismissed for a pile of leaves, dirt, or a shadow so I tend to stay away from those colors when possible. As for open water, white suits were also cautioned against, as they appeared to be patches of cloud reflections.”