How to stay safe while enjoying summertime festivities

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The summertime festivities are in full swing at Branched Oak Lake, boats, swimmers, you name it. But with all the fun comes some safety concerns. So how can you enjoy our local lakes safely?

Nebraska Game and Parks say there is one very important tool.

“Whether their on a motor boat or doing paddle sports or taking part in swimming, one of the key important things that anybody can use is what we always preach and that’s life jackets,” Sgt. Scott Eveland, a Conservation Officer said.

In almost any case, life jackets are a necessary, especially if you’re riding a wave runner or a tube. Those floats could potentially save your life.

And for those enjoying the lakes from above water, there are things you can do like taking a boating safety course.

“People born after 1985 are required to complete a boating safety course with any motorized water craft in Nebraska,” Eveland said. “And avoiding the use of alcohol.”

Officials say they want you to have fun, but not too much fun. A drunk driver behind the wheel of a boat is just as dangerous as one behind the wheel of a car.

“Nebraska does have a BUI law that is identical to the DUI law and somebody can be arrested and go to jail with the same blood alcohol limit as driving a car,” Eveland said.

And we’re coming up on the big weekend of the summer, the forth of July. Officers will be patrolling the lakes and cracking down on those who have had too many drinks behind the wheel.