Celebrate Labor Day by practicing water safety

ST. PAUL, Minn. – As many folks celebrate the final weeks of summer and transition to fall activities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, wants to remind folks to take an extra moment to ensure that they are safe while out on the water.

With the onset of September comes cooler water temperatures and the additional risk of hypothermia. Any water temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold water, which means an increased risk of hypothermia.

So while you are out fishing, boating or waterfowl hunting this fall, please remember to play it safe and wear your life jacket. It could save your life.

To be safe on the water, Corps staff offer these additional safety tips:

• Wear a life jacket;
• Avoid consuming too much alcohol;
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you plan to be back;
• Keep an eye on the weather as conditions can change with little warning;
• Take a boater safety class;
• Avoid restricted areas immediately above and below a lock and dam;
• Have an anchor on board that can be quickly retrieved;
• Monitor navigation traffic on Marine Channel 14;
• If locking through a lock, listen to the lock operator at all times; and
• Practice social distancing to ensure everyone is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on our water safety program, please visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Water-Safety/  or http://bobber.info/ for water safety educational materials.

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