Water, Boating Safety a Holiday Priority on Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees operations of Lake Allatoona in Cartersville, encourages water and boating safety for the Fourth of July holiday.

in separate incidents this summer in Lake Allatoona and a third man nearly went under.

“We welcome visitors and their families to enjoy the use of our lakes and recreational areas this holiday weekend but want everyone to be safe by wearing life jackets and using caution while boating in the water,” E. Patrick Robbins, public affairs officer for USACE Mobile District, said. “A child can drown in less than 30 seconds; an adult in 60 seconds, but it takes less than
a minute to put on a life jacket.”

Recreational users can find life jacket-loaner stations at the following locations on the lake:

• Blockhouse Day Use Area                                  
• Clark Creek North Campground                        
•                       
•                                    
• Old Highway 41 #1 Day Use Area                        
• Old Highway 41 #3 Campground                   
• Payne Campground and Ramp                  
• Sweetwater Day Use Area                          
• Sweetwater Campground                             
• Upper Stamp Creek Campground                     
• Victoria Campground                                       
• Victoria Day Use Area

Lake visitors also should use caution to prevent impact injuries.

“Impact injuries associated with boating can be prevented by reducing speed in congested areas, unfamiliar waters and at night; proper use of navigation lights; shutting off the motor when swimmers are near the boat; and paying attention to navigational markers,” Robbins said. “We also recommend boaters to avoid the use of alcohol while operating boats and other watercrafts.”

Tips to promote water safety and help prevent drowning are:

• . Wear one.
• Learn how to swim, but be reminded that even good swimmers can drown so please know your limits.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Swim in designated areas only.
• Use your head and go feet first into the water.
• Leave the water at the first sign of bad weather.
• Watch your children—no reading, no phone and no napping.

• Always wear a life jacket when you are on a boat.
• Always boat soberly.
• Always boat with a friend.
• Use your running lights from dusk until dawn when you are on the water.
• Always let someone on shore know where you plan to take the boat.
• Check the weather before you put the boat in the water.
• Know and follow the water “rules of the road.”
• Learn how to swim.