Arkansas lakes and parks gear up for July Fourth enjoyable; right here’s the right way to keep secure

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — If you’re planning to have fun the Fourth of July weekend on an Arkansas lake, river or path, you gained’t be alone, and that’s precisely why security is the secret.

Trey Reid with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission mentioned the Fourth of July is “always a big weekend, especially for boating,” and he expects it could possibly be “a little busier than usual out on the lake” this 12 months. With many neighborhood fireworks exhibits taking place round water, that may imply extra boats out on the similar time, together with folks heading out particularly to observe the shows.

Reid mentioned one of many greatest risks on the water is straightforward: “Not paying attention.” He in contrast it to distracted driving, noting that telephones, music and conversations can pull a boater’s focus away on the mistaken second. His recommendation: “Just gotta pay attention, have that head on a swivel, and as always, wear that life jacket.”

He mentioned there are nonetheless loads of misconceptions about life jackets, however choices have come a great distance from the previous cumbersome kinds many individuals image. Reid famous that kids below 13 should put on a life jacket, and he added it’s a wise transfer for everybody. He pointed to newer selections, together with inflatable life jackets that activate once you hit the water and “little belt styles,” which he mentioned are extra comfy and fewer scorching and hulking.

Before launching, Reid mentioned boaters also needs to ensure their vessel is correctly outfitted, particularly if it hasn’t been out shortly. He beneficial double-checking that every one required security gear is on board, together with “an air horn and a whistle and a throwable personal flotation device,” together with life jackets for everybody. He additionally steered taking a second to substantiate nothing has gone lacking because the final journey, particularly if another person used the boat.

For these buying and selling the boat for a hike, Reid had easy recommendation for wildlife encounters: “Just leave them alone.” He mentioned snake bites are uncommon, and after they do occur, it’s actually because somebody tried to select up a snake or mess with it.

Reid mentioned Arkansas has had current experiences of bears exhibiting up in additional populated areas, which he described as frequent for this time of 12 months. He defined that in May, June and into early July, younger male bears might depart their dwelling vary to discover a new place to reside, “Mama kicked them out of the house”, and typically they wander into locations they shouldn’t be.

While he mentioned the percentages of a harmful bear encounter are “extremely low,” Reid famous Arkansas had “a couple fatalities last year,” calling it the primary deadly bear assault within the state “in over 130 years.” If you do run right into a bear on a hike, he mentioned the aim is to make the bear perceive you’re not a straightforward goal: make noise, put your arms up, make your self look huge and even throw a rock at it. He added one essential caveat: “Unlike snakes. Don’t throw rocks at the snake.”

On the water, Reid mentioned enforcement can be stepping up patrols for Operation Dry Water, with Arkansas Game and Fish sport wardens and a few county water patrols taking part. He described it as “kind of a saturation patrol” operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday, targeted on stopping boating below the affect. “They don’t want to write a ticket,” he mentioned, “but they want to make sure you’re not drinking and boating.”

His parting message was easy: “Just have a great weekend. Be safe out there.”