By Fox23.com News Staff
With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department is reminding people to be safe if you plan on going out to the Illinois River.
“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the Scenic Illinois River,” said GRDA Corporate Spokesperson Justin Alberty. “But as you do, keep in mind that enjoyable outings on the water always start with floating safe, smart and sober.”
If you plan on going out to the river for the holiday, they advise following these safety tips:
DOs:
- Let the commercial float operator know if anyone is a first-time floater. They could be paired with exprerienced paddler/floater or placed in a raft.
- Wear your life jacket
- Be mindful of the weather and water. Take a break if you get tired
- Camp only in designated areas
DON’Ts:
- Don’t drive into the river from bridges, bluffs, stream banks, and trees.
- Don’t swim or boat alone.
- Don’t take anything that could be lost in the river. Check keys and other effects with the commercial float operator.
For more information, you can call the GRDA Scenic River Operations office at (918) 456 3251. You can also call the GRDA Police Department’s non-emergency number is 918-256-0911
