Making a SPLASH for safety on Georgia waterways

ATLANTA – Georgia Power, which owns and operates 15 lake properties, is joining the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in urging Georgians to be careful on lakes and waterways this summer.

Independence Day and summer weekends are especially busy times on the water in Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4 years.

Last year, more than 200 Georgians died from accidental drowning.

The SPLASH program, a longstanding DNR initiative, aims to reduce the number of these deaths and injuries on the state’s beaches, lakes and rivers this summer. The acronym stands for:

— Supervision: Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.

— Prevention: Wear personal flotation devices (PFD, or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in hot tubs and pools.

— Look before you leap: Never jump into water without knowing how deep it is and what is below the surface.

— Arm’s Length: Adults should be arm’s length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.

— Swim Lessons: Knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.

— Have a Water Safety Plan: Know what to do during an emergency.

Georgia Power’s properties provide recreational opportunities year round for the public at more than 40 sites across the state. For information about a Georgia Power lake, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Lakes.