With hot temperatures expected to push well into the blistering 90s over the next couple of days in King County, Marta the River Otter is reminding folks that want to cool off in local water bodies to stay safe. Marta, King County’s newest water safety advocate, reminds us that drowning is a preventable tragedy and an important public health and public safety issue. Warm weather draws people to lakes, rivers and saltwater areas, often creating high risk situations for themselves, others and rescuers.
Marta is urging swimmers and other water recreationists to follow these 
recommendations to prevent drownings:
- Know the risks associated with the waterbody you want to visit.
- Learn to swim, including water safety and survival skills.
- Wear a lifejacket. By law, children 12 years old and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket at all times in a moving vessel under 19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area. Borrow a lifejacket from a lifejacket loaner station.
- Swim where there’s a lifeguard.
- Supervise children in or near water.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs during water activities.
- Learn first aid and CPR.
For more information http://www.kingcounty.gov/riversafety
