Safety Tip of the Season
Beautiful...but Dangerous
Snohomish County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, rivers and lakes in the world. They present vast recreational opportunities – fishing, kayaking, rafting, and other activities.
But drowning is a real risk when utilizing our county's rivers. This year, we've responded to five water rescue incidents already - four of those victims drowned.
Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Always wear a life jacket when you are on the water. Never go near moving water without one.
- Slippery when wet. Beware of beach logs, river banks and rocks near the shore, as they can be slippery.
- Keep kids within arm's reach. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under.
- Don't dive in. Two-thirds of catastrophic neck injuries occur in open water and the sea.
- Stay warm. Water temperatures range from 55º F to 60º F. Hypothermia is a real danger in our Snohomish County waters.
- Check tide tables and weather forecasts.
Find more safety tips and resources on our website.