Georgia Power shares water and boating safety tips for Memorial Day weekend

ATLANTA, May 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the largest non-governmental provider of recreation facilities in the state, Georgia Power today is reminding customers and lake visitors if they are planning to head out to the lake this weekend to remember social distancing and group size guidelines as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The company is also encouraging customers and lake visitors to remember water and boating safety tips with the start of the Memorial Day weekend. 

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 1 to 4 years of age, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health and SPLASH, a longstanding Georgia Department of Natural Resources initiative supported by Georgia Power. Through public outreach, the organizations aim to greatly reduce the number of these deaths and injuries.

SPLASH encourages citizens to follow these tips when enjoying beaches, pools, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water:

• Supervision – Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.
• Prevention – Wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in pools.
• Look before you leap – Never jump into water without knowing how deep it is and what is below the surface.
• Arm's Length – Adults should be arm's length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.
• Swim Lessons – Knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.
• Have a Water Safety Plan – Know what to do during an emergency.

Georgia Power is also joining with other organizations across the country to recognize this week as National Safe Boating Week – a time to highlight and reinforce the importance of safety on the country's lakes, rivers and oceans. Boaters visiting any of Georgia Power's lakes can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience by remembering simple safety tips such as: 

• Wear a Life Jacket – Young or old, and no matter how well you can swim, always wear a life jacket (or a personal flotation device) while on the water.
• Pools vs. Lakes – Make sure children know the difference between pools and lakes – lakes can produce currents, uncertainty on water depth and hidden natural features under the water. 
• CPR Basics – Spend a few minutes learning CPR basics. Knowing the proper way to perform CPR can save a life on the lake, or every day.  Classes and basic information is available from the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/cpr) and the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).
• Watch your Speed – Lakes have speed limits just like roads. Watch for signage and follow the posted instructions.
• Light at Night – Make sure your boat is equipped with proper lighting if you are going to be on the water at night.

Find out more by visiting Georgia Power's Lakes & Recreation site. There you will find detailed information about all of the Georgia Power properties, including facilities and amenities, local attractions and water safety information. On the site, visitors can also check current lake conditions, virtually explore camp sites and browse an interactive fish guide for each of the lakes.

In addition, the company provides additional water safety tips through its lake safety public service announcement on the Georgia Power YouTube Channel.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power

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