Officials want people to have fun, stay safe at lakes this summer

DAYTON — As the Miami Valley gets ready for the unofficial start of summer, fire officials want people to make sure they stay safe in and around the water, especially at lakes.

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Sunday was the first day of National Safe Boating Week. It will go until Saturday, May 26.

News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson stopped by the Beavercreek Fire Department on Sunday to find out how people can keep themselves safe while enjoying the summer sunshine.

She spoke with Captain Dustin Harrison when it comes to safety while being out on the water this boating season. He said the first and foremost thing is to go out there and have fun but not without a life jacket on.

“The thing about water is it is the most unpredictable force of nature really that’s out there,” Harrison told Robertson.

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He’s worked at the Beavercreek Fire Department for 25 years now. The station’s boat team covers the section of the Little Miami River that flows through Beavercreek.

“First and foremost, wear a life jacket,” said Harrison. “Make sure that it’s a properly fitted coast guard approved for the proper weight and everything.”

Robertson says all straps on the life jacket should be snapped and it should fit snugly, according to Harrison.

“And then, we always try to look at the shoulder straps and when you pull up, you want it to stay in place,” Harrison explained, “You don’t want it to move up.”

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Robertson also stopped by Eastwood MetroPark on Sunday and spoke to Bryron Hinrichsen, who spent the afternoon jet skiing.

He said he has more safety gear on hand than just a life vest.

“If things go really sideways, I’ve got my handy dandy dumpster fire of a jet ski fire extinguisher,” he said.

Even before he gets into the water, he does this.

“We let people know where we are so a lot of people know we’re out here on this lake,” he told Robertson.

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That’s one of the things Captain Harrison recommends too.

He said before anyone goes out on the water, make sure to let someone know where you are going and when you will be home.

Harrison also says anyone who plans to drive a boat, take a boat safety course beforehand.

“To be able to know how to navigate to pay attention to who has the right of way and things like that,” he said to Robertson.

At Eastwood MetroPark, Hinrichsen said he has yet to use any of his safety gear and says it’s a good idea to always use a life jacket.

“The life jacket is always a good sense of security,” he told Robertson.

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Harrison said if an accident does happen while anyone is out on the water, call for help as quickly as possible and know where you are.

He said an accurate description of your location will allow help to come as fast as possible.

More ways to stay safe can be found here.

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Boat Safety Photo from: News Center 7 Staff

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