Missouri Highway Patrol officers are gearing up for a busy summer on the water. They’re already out reminding boaters and swimmers to be safe.
After a number of drownings on local lakes, the officers will be active at swimming and boating venues this weekend, making sure safety is a priority.
Officers say swimming in open water isn’t the same as swimming in a pool and swimmers often forget about safety precautions.
“In a swimming pool, you can see the bottom in 10 – 15 feet of water. On a lake, more than three feet down, you can’t see more than three feet down if they go underwater,” explained Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. Charles Hoff.
Hoff adds it’s extremely important to alway have a life vest when hitting the water either by boat or just to go swimming.
