Water Safety

Recent findings show in 9 out of 10 drownings involving infants or children, a parent or guardian considered themselves to be supervising at the time the drowning occurred. Most people are under the erroneous conception that a person will make a lot of noise and call for help when they are drowning, but this simply is not the case. Parents and guardians often get distracted by conversations, reading, sunning, or napping. So when you and your family visit Walter F. George Lake or Lake George W.  Andrews always maintain constant vigilance and remain within arms-reach at all times. 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Rangers at Walter F. George Lake work in our community as well as on our lake and river to bring the Corps' water safety message to you. Our lake project has a water safety coordinator. This person manages the project's water safety programs. Rangers also perform water safety demonstrations in classrooms, communities, and parks, and work with community businesses to sponsor water safety promotions such as, poster contests, "Loaner For Life Program", and "Flotation Citations" for children caught demonstrating water safety principles, and safe boating demonstrations.

The Resource Managers Office and visitor center, in conjunction with local Coast Guard Auxiliary Stations and Power Squadrons often host safe boating and boating certification courses in the community. Contact the Water Safety Coordinator at the Resource Managers Office for information on upcoming programs and promotions or to make arrangements for a ranger program for your classroom or community. Programs are available for all age groups.

We welcome the opportunity to partner with, and actively seek out, local businesses to help spread the word about water safety. Partnerships can be as simple as displaying water safety posters and brochures. Other businesses promote water safety programs by providing prizes, coupons and discounts used to reward children for displaying their water safety education. If you or your business would like to be a part of these community programs, contact your Water Safety Coordinator.