Oklahoma – As summer approaches, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is urging residents to prioritize safety while enjoying lakes and waterways. Last year, OHP responded to 19 drowning incidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Thankfully, there were no drownings reported this Memorial Day weekend.
To help prevent accidents, OHP shared a list of essential safety equipment boaters must have on board:
-
Life jackets for every person on the boat
-
A Type 4 throwable flotation device
-
A fire extinguisher
-
A whistle, horn, or other sounding device
-
Proper registration for the boat
-
Ventilation for boats with inboard engines
The patrol emphasized that having these items not only complies with safety regulations but also saves lives.
OHP encourages all boaters to follow these guidelines and stay alert while on the water to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season.
