Golden Pond, KY – In time for one of the most popular holidays at Land Between The Lakes (LBL), Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers are offering their annual list of safe habits to follow while visiting the National Recreation Area and area State Resort Parks.
“We want everyone to have fun while they are here,” explains Forest Service Law Enforcement Patrol Captain, Duane Cameron, “and often times practicing safe habits can make all the difference in the world. Already this year a boat motor explosion injured a man and caused damage to his boat. This could have been avoided through proper ventilation before starting the engine.”
Cameron asks visitors to keep the following safety tips in mind while enjoying the great outdoors this summer:
Boating Safety
- Be courteous at all times, especially around boat ramps.
- Be aware of your surroundings. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, driver inattention is the number one cause of boating accidents and deaths.
- Ventilate the inboard motor before starting the engine to release any gas fume build up.
- Engage your car’s emergency brake when pulling out or lowering your boat into the water.
- Be responsible for the safety of your riders; ensure availability of life jackets for each and keep within legal weight limits.
- Do not drink alcohol and operate a boat.
Driving Safety
- Be courteous. Share the road with bicycle and motorcycle riders.
- Watch out for wildlife, especially deer since they tend to travel in pairs and often feed along the highways. Also watch for hikers, horse riders, and mountain bikers that cross the roadways. Take extra caution when approaching these cross-over areas.
- Stay on designated roads as identified in LBL’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
- These roads are numbered. The map is located at www.lbl.org/mvum.html [1] .
- Keep a map with you to guide you through the numbered backcountry roads.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Heavy rains may wash out sections of creek crossings or roadways.
- Do not text and drive.
- Do not drink and drive.
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Biking and Hiking Safety
- Be sure to carry sufficient water to keep hydrated.
- Know where you are and where you are going before you head out.
- Plan ahead and inform a responsible person of your route.
- Carry a map and a compass or a global positioning system (GPS) unit with you.
- Some cell phones may not work in all areas.
- Use tick, chigger, and mosquito repellant.
Camping Safety
- Be aware of the high fire danger associated with hot, dry weather.
- Be courteous to other campers. Honor quiet hours from 11:00pm to 6:00am.
- Be cautious around campfires. Remove any debris around the fire ring. Make sure your campfire ashes are cold before leaving them unattended. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires.www.smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.asp [2]
- Before setting up your camping site, look to see if any tree limbs may be ready to fall in strong winds and adjust accordingly.
[320right]Fireworks are prohibited in Land Between The Lakes. Neighboring State Resort Parks provide fireworks displays visible from many places at LBL.
Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers are on duty to help keep Land Between The Lakes a safe place to visit. In case of emergency, dial 911 or 877.861.2457 for 24-hour dispatch. Visitors are asked to immediately report any unusual smoke that you see or smell.
More safety tips can be found on the U.S. Forest Service safety website at www.fs.fed.us/safety/ [3] and at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx [4] .
Visitors can find information about tick safety on our fact sheet at www.lbl.org/documents/2012LBLTickFacts.pdf. [5]
Site and trail maps can be found at www.lbl.org/VCMaps.html [6] .
Come Outside and Play at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Land Between The Lakes provides outdoor recreation, lake access, and environmental education for the public to enjoy.
Visitors are encouraged to review LBL’s official website at www.lbl.org [7] often for Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, safety information, maps, and temporary trail and road closures.
Follow Land Between The Lakes on www.Twitter.com/LBLScreechOwl [8] . Additional LBL information can be found on the website or by calling 1.800.LBL.7077 or 270.924.2000.