Arkansas officials talk safety ahead of Fourth of July weekend
“The best outcomes come when everyone is doing what they can to prepare,” Arkansas State Parks’ Assistant Chief of Interpretation Kayla Gomance said.
ARKANSAS, USA — With the Fourth of July just around the corner, many Arkansans are heading to lakes and parks across the state to enjoy the holiday. But before jumping in, officials are emphasizing one message: safety first.
Kayla Gomance, assistant chief of interpretation for Arkansas State Parks, said that this time of year is one of the busiest for the many natural resources the state has to offer.
Gomance added that safety for the upcoming holiday weekend is a responsibility shared by everyone.
“We at Arkansas State Parks do everything we can to prepare and keep people safe, but we want you to know that the best outcomes come when everyone is doing what they can to prepare,” Gomance said.
The summer heat, coupled with outdoor activity, makes hydration essential. Gomance said that staying properly hydrated is a crucial step in preventing accidents.
Even when cooling off in the water, it’s easy to forget to drink water until it’s the middle of the afternoon and temperatures are pushing triple digits.
“Think about hydrating yourself from the start,” Gomance said. “It’s easy to think it’s hot outside. I’m going to get in the lake and I’ll cool off so I’ll feel fine, and then before you know it, you haven’t had any water, and it’s 2 pm and it’s 106 degrees, and your body can’t function that way.”
Alcohol is another serious concern for those enjoying water-based activities. Officials urge people to avoid drinking while boating or swimming, noting that it impairs judgment and slows reaction times, which can turn a fun outing into a dangerous situation.
Visibility is also a critical safety factor. Brightly colored swimwear or life jackets — particularly in neon colors — help make swimmers more visible to boaters and others nearby.
Officials also caution that what’s under the water can be deceptive. Before jumping off cliffs or bluffs, they recommend checking for submerged rocks, tree limbs, or other debris that could pose hidden dangers.
Lakegoers are also reminded to swim only in designated areas, often marked with bright orange buoys. These zones not only offer better protection from boats but also tend to have clearer and safer lake bottoms.
Gomance emphasized the importance of life jackets, especially for children and those engaged in high-speed water sports.
“Children are legally required to wear them while they’re boating. If folks are on jet skis or they are skiing and that sort of thing, everyone’s got to have one on, buckled up safely,” Gomance said. “I think one point I really like to make about life jackets is that the best one out there is the one that you will wear.”
Gomance added that the parks will be staffed to the fullest extent during the busy weekend for support and in case of emergencies.
“I’ve worked at a lot of lakes and Lake State Parks, and I’ve seen the joy that those things can bring, but I’ve also seen how important it is to prepare,” Gomance said. “So let’s just keep all those things in mind, wearing life jackets, staying hydrated, thinking about visibility, and hopefully we can have a nice, safe summer.”
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