PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- With the summer season about to hit full stride, state officials are warning residents to play it safe as they hit Pennsylvania's waterways whether it be for swimming, fishing or boating. As we saw this week with the drowning death of a teen in Bucks County, storms can make even your local creek very dangerous.
Taking a swim is a great way to beat the heat, but it's definitely best to stick to the places where it's legal and preferably monitored. But a lot of people don't follow those suggestions. With severe storms like those that recently swept through our area, you never know what lies below the water surface, and that can be dangerous.
"Whether it's tree limbs, natural debris, appliances, garbage, we've seen it all," said Mike Parker, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission."
Parker says all those things can easily cause problems for swimmers and boaters alike. He says kayaking is quickly growing in popularity because of how easy it is to get the equipment, but many people are hitting the water without any training or experience.
"It really isn't a wise decision," Parker said, "because things can turn tragic very quickly."
Parker says people should at least check out some basic safety rules at Fishandboat.com, and take a safe boating course. He also says a life jacket is always recommended whether you're swimming, boating, or fishing, and you always want to be aware of the weather forecast.