Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jon Collins, 612-919-5918
June 30, 2017 (MINNEAPOLIS) – The Hennepin County
Sheriff's Office is urging everyone to stay safe while enjoying water-related
recreation such as boating or swimming during the 4th of July weekend.
Individuals and families should plan ahead
before enjoying a lake or swimming pool. A water safety plan should include
properly fitting life jackets, necessary safety equipment, and a sober operator if using a boat.
“We want everyone to have fun and stay safe
during the holiday weekend, but it is a team effort that involves all who are
enjoying our lakes and rivers,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek. “Due to increased boating traffic, it is important to be aware of your surroundings so that everyone is able to have a fun and safe weekend.”
The Sheriff’s Water Patrol Unit will have additional
patrols between Friday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Deputies and
volunteer Special Deputies will be available to assist boaters who find
themselves in distress or have questions about area water regulations, they
will also actively be patrolling for boaters who are intoxicated.
Life jackets are required to be worn by children
less than 10 years old when on a boat. Boats must also have an accessible life
jacket for each person on a boat, and at least one throwable device. Personal
watercraft operators and passengers, no matter the age, must wear a life
jacket.
On Lake Minnetonka, there are free life jackets
available that boaters may borrow for the day. The Kids Don’t
Float program is a partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, Safe Kids Northwest Metro
Minneapolis and North Memorial Medical Center. The life jackets are found
inside storage containers located at three public boat launch locations: Gray’s
Bay, Spring Park Bay, and Maxwell Bay.
Safety reminders for boaters
- Boaters should slow down and make an extra effort to act in a courteous manner on crowded lakes and rivers.
- Designate a sober boat operator prior to your day of boating.
- It is highly recommended that all passengers wear life jackets during boating.
- Be aware of the danger of a boat propeller. People in the water, who are re-entering the boat, have been injured by props.
Safety reminders for swimmers
WATCH – your kids
- Parents must use active supervision when children are in – or near – the water. In 70 percent of cases where young children drowned, one or both parents were nearby. Being nearby isn’t enough. Parents must focus on kids and avoid distractions such as using cell phones or talking with other adults.
- Parent supervision is needed even when lifeguards are on duty.
WEAR – a life jacket
- Weak swimmers or non-swimmers should wear life jackets in the water – including swimming pools. Adult supervision is needed even when using a life jacket.
- Do not rely on water wings or other inflatable devices.
LEARN – to swim & learn about water safety
- Teach your kids to swim. Adults must know how to swim too.
- Keep safety equipment near pools, such as a shepherd’s hook. If attempting a rescue, hand something to the struggling person or pull them to safety with the hook.
- Use safety precautions with backyard kiddie pools. (One child drowns every five days in portable pools.)
- Learn CPR and learn more about water safety.
Volunteer for the Sheriff's Office as a Special Deputy
Volunteer Special Deputies are an important component of the Sheriff Office, donating more than 25,000 hours of time per year to serve the residents of Hennepin County. During this year's extended 4th of July weekend, they will assist with patrolling the county's waterways and roadways, responding to emergencies, working at community events, and providing safety instruction to residents.
- Special Deputies train and work side-by-side with Sheriff's Office licensed deputies.
- Each Special Deputy contributes 192 hours per year through duty shifts, training, special details and emergency call outs, and each member is required to work at least 16 hours per month.
To learn more about Special Deputies, click here.
- HCSO -
Look for more news on
the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at http://www.hennepinsheriff.org.
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