DEQ offers water safety tips

Team Radio Marketing Group - May 23, 2017 5:10 pm

With the Memorial Day holiday approaching, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality encourages
Oklahomans to visit the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams.
While recreating at these natural water bodies, DEQ reminds you to follow some simple tips to help keep you and your family safe while swimming, boating, canoeing, or enjoying other water activities.
Natural bodies of water, especially warm and stagnant water, can contain organisms that may cause illness. Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can cause skin, eye, and ear infections, respiratory infections, or gastrointestinal upset. Illness can range from mild to severe.
While some microorganisms occur naturally, others are carried into surface waters from a variety of sources.
Please consider the following precautions to protect against water-borne sickness when recreating in natural waters:
  • Choose swimming areas carefully
  • Pay attention to signage about water conditions
  • Stay away from any area that has stagnant water, floating debris, scum, an oil sheen, or dead fish
  • Avoid swimming near storm drains
  • Take simple precautions
  • Hold nose or wear nose plugs when jumping into the water
  • Avoid swallowing water when swimming
  • Wear ear plugs to prevent ear infections
  • Wear swim goggles or masks to prevent eye infections
  • Wash skin with soap and water after swimming
  • Prevent spread of illness to others
  • Take children to the restroom frequently
  • Use swim diapers on infants
  • Rinse off prior to entering the water
  • Avoid swimming if you are ill
 

Latest Stories

East Middle School Students Visit Senator Bill Coleman at the Capitol

Today is the Business, Marketing, & Information Technology Education (BMITE) Day at the Capitol. The goal...

GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED

The City of Ponca City will observe the GOOD FRIDAY Holiday on Friday March 29, 2024:...

PCPS BPA Students Attend State Leadership Conference

Ponca City High School’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) attended the Oklahoma BPA State Leadership Conference...