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Water Safety

Ensuring your safety is of critical importance to us.

Before using lakes and recreational areas throughout Georgia, we ask you to please review these safety tips to help you and your family stay safe in and around the water.

WATCH VIDEO: Learn about our lifejacket loaner stations.

Swimming Safety

Follow the guidelines of SPLASH to stay safe while enjoying beaches, pools, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water:

  • S

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

  • P

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

  • L

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

  • A

     – 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.

  • S

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

  • H

     – Have a Water Safety Plan – Discuss beforehand what to do during an emergency.

Life Jackets Save Lives

Over 70% of boating deaths are due to the person not wearing a life jacket.

Always make sure a life jacket fits properly and the straps are secured correctly!

Dangers of Hypothermia

Hypothermia can strike in any temperature of water if a person is immersed long enough. A person wearing just a life jacket could survive for 30-90 minutes in 32°F water.

Even if the air feels warm, don’t skip this important aspect of boating safety. If you boat in water that is less than 50°F, hypothermia protection should be a priority.

Boating Safety

  • Check all safety equipment onboard prior to trip

  • Always wear a life jacket

  • Know the rules of the waterway

  • Boating Under the Influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs is illegal

  • Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return

  • Do not overloadyour vessel

Navigational Buoy Symbols – What They Mean

Controlled Area

Danger

Boats keep out

Information

Navigate to starboard

Navigate to port

Mid channel

Diver below

Read up on the Rules!

If you have not taken a boating course, it is a great way to refresh yourself with the “rules of the waterway”. Some states now require certification before operating a watercraft. Contact your local department of natural resource office or water patrol office to find out about these great learning opportunities.

Additional Boating Safety Resources:

Electrical Awareness

  • ELECTRIC SHOCK
    Electric shock drowning occurs when someone makes contact with electrified water and becomes a conductor of electricity, leading to complete loss of muscle control, rapid or irregular heartbeat and even death.

  • DON'T SWIM AROUND BOATS, DOCKS, MARINAS OR LAUNCHING RAMPS
    Docks and boats can carry sources of electricity. Faulty wiring or the use of damaged electrical cords and other devices can cause the surrounding water source to become energized. Never swim near a boat, marina or launching ramp where breakers or ground fault circuit interrupters are tripping.

  • CHECK FOR FAULTY CIRCUITS REGULARLY
    Be sure your boat and dock are properly maintained. Ground fault circuit interrupters and equipment leakage circuit interrupters should be tested regularly to ensure functionality. Conduct leakage testing to determine if electrical current is escaping the vessel or dock.

  • DON'T USE HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC CORDS
    When using electricity near water, never use household electric cords. Use only portable ground fault circuit interrupters or shore power cords (including “Y” adapters) that are “UL- marine listed”.

  • KNOW WHERE YOUR MAIN BREAKERS ARE LOCATED
    Know where both the boat and the shore power source breakers are, so you can respond quickly in an emergency. Be aware of any potential electrical hazards by checking for nearby power lines before boating, fishing or swimming.

  • CONDUCT REGULAR ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
    Regularly have your boat’s and dock’s electrical systems inspected by a qualified electrician to be sure they meet local and state National Electric Code, National Fire Protection Association, and American Boat and Yacht Council safety codes and standards. Georgia Power is NOT responsible for conducting electrical system inspections of boats or docks on our lakes.