Health Highlights: River, lake safety ahead of Labor Day
Key takeaways:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Swim with a buddy
- Stay informed about local bacteria levels in bodies of water
- Wash your boat, equipment and yourself when done in the water
Instead of being a beach bum or a mountain climber, maybe rivers and lakes are more your speed.
But don't let lake life wash away your safety habits or good judgment.
In 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard counted over 3,800 recreational boating accidents, resulting in 564 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports drowning deaths are on the rise for the first time in decades, with over 4,500 people drowning each year from 2020 to 2022.
Jon Gehlbach, MD, is the medical director for the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. He says there are many unknown factors in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers that make them more dangerous than pools.
“They tend to be darker, so it’s harder to see what’s going on below the surface. They could have hidden obstacles," Dr. Gehlbach says. "Currents play a factor as well. Kids might be great swimmers in the pool, but currents make it a lot more challenging to swim safely.”
Another harmful thing to keep in mind is the spread of waterborne pathogens and bacteria like E. Coli.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) says to not transport water, animals, fish or plants from one body of water to another.
Also, wash yourself, your boats and equipment with hot water as soon as possible once you're out of the water.