ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and many families will be heading to area lakes or rivers.
We hope everyone enjoys their favorite type of water-related activities but also want to remind everyone to be safe while doing so.
While this weekend is the unofficial start to the summer, it is also a great opportunity to check your life jackets and ensure they are serviceable and that they still fit properly. Here are a few additional safety tips.
Boaters:
· Take a safe boating course;
· Ensure all required safety equipment is onboard and serviceable;
· Wear your life jacket – don’t just carry one on board; and
· Check the weather forecast and file a float plan with a friend of family member.
Swimmers:
· Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat;
· Don’t overestimate your swimming skills; and
· Swim only in designated swimming areas and never swim alone.
The Corps reminds boaters to exercise caution and be vigilant when boating in the area because rivers currents are strong. Submerged logs and other debris below the water’s surface can cause severe damage. Always wear your life vest, as events can happen quickly.
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
Boaters are reminded that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock, located on the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, will be closing to all water-borne traffic at 11:59 p.m., June 9.
Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend everyone! For more information on how to be safe while on the water, please visit: http://watersafety.usace.army.mil/
The nearly 650 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the Corps’ Fiscal Year 2014 $100 million budget, nearly 1,600 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $155 million to the national economy. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
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