Water Safety Tips Water recreation can be the cornerstone of any outdoor vacation. However, it also presents various hazards, especially for children.
The following Oklahoma State Parks offer a free life jacket loaner program for children:
Here are some water safety tips to help keep everyone safe in the water:
• Beavers Bend State Park
• Avoid water that is foamy, scummy or discolored.
• Fort Cobb State Park
• Avoid swimming in polluted or algae-affected water.
• Foss State Park
• Swim in safe or designated swimming areas only.
• Grand Lake State Park (Bernice, Cherokee, Honey Creek, Spavinaw and Twin Bridges areas)
• Always watch children when they are in or near the water. • When children are swimming in outdoor bodies of water, a life jacket is always recommended. • Always swim with a partner. • Know your limits and don’t push yourself beyond your natural swimming capability. • Avoid swallowing water while swimming. • Shower before and after swimming, and make sure to wash any cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap. • Check the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. • Drink plenty of fluids. It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re in the sun all day. If you start feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous, you’re probably dehydrated. Drink fluids and seek medical attention immediately. • Diving injuries can be severe, so check the water’s depth before you dive in and identify any hidden rocks or other hazards, even if you plan on leaping in feet-first. • If you are boating, everyone should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. In Oklahoma, all vessels must carry one wearable flotation device for each person onboard, and all children under 13 years old must wear their life jackets at all times. • Be aware that alcohol and boating do not mix. One third of boating deaths are alcohol-related. Oklahoma laws allow only beer and wine to be consumed in public and not other intoxicating beverages.
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• Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park
• Cherokee Landing State Park
• Great Plains State Park • Greenleaf State Park • Keystone State Park • Lake Eufaula State Park • Lake Murray State Park & Lodge • Lake Texoma State Park • Lake Thunderbird State Park • Osage Hills State Park • Roman Nose State Park • Salt Plains State Park • Sequoyah State Park • Tenkiller State Park