Many Mid-Ohio Valley residents look forward to the warm summer months as a time to head for the water. Our rivers - both the Ohio and the Little Kanawha, smaller streams, lakes and ponds are wonderful places for recreation, as can be seen on just about any summer weekend.
But they are dangerous, too.
Over Memorial Day weekend, a West Virginia man drowned in the New River after the boat he was in capsized. He and his family had been camping beside the stream. The victim was not wearing a life vest.
Also during that same weekend, two other people had to be rescued from a rock in another section of the New River. They became stranded there when the stream level rose quickly as a result of a release of water from a nearby dam.
Most area residents are familiar enough with the hazards of water recreation to take appropriate precautions. Many of them amount to no more than simple common sense. Always use a flotation device when in a boat or engaged in an activity such as skiing. Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs that may affect judgment or reaction ability. Never go in the water alone.
It takes just a few seconds for a day of fun on the water to become a tragedy.
We don't want to report any water-related tragedies involving area residents this summer.
Please, then, be careful.
