With tourism season in full swing, there is plenty to do and see in Highlands.
One of the most popular activities has picked up steam as summer temperatures have taken hold in the past week or two – people are flocking to area waterfalls, lakes, and streams.
While summer and time on the water often go hand in hand, it’s important to remember that some of our areas most beautiful natural areas can also be dangerous. A reminder of that fact was served up this past weekend at nearby Lake Keowee in South Carolina, where a man drowned while trying to help a child in distress near High Falls Park.
According to reports, the 35-year old man went into the water to help the child who appeared to be struggling to keep their head above water. The child survived, the rescuer did not.
Here are some safety tips for anyone who may find themselves enjoying our natural waterways this summer courtesy of the Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina.
• Stay on safe ground ¬– Never climb waterfalls or go near the top. The waterfall atmosphere can cause even experienced hikers to lose full control of their senses and fall.
• Only enter safe water ¬– Don’t swim anywhere near where the waterfall hits the plunge pool. Churning currents called hydraulics can trap you under water. River currents are stronger than you may realize. Never enter the water anywhere near the top of a waterfall. Be extremely careful when crossing streams if the water is more than a few inches deep.
• Avoid slick surfaces – Rocks at waterfalls and in streams can be extremely slippery, especially wet ones. No shoe will provide a sure grip if the rocks are covered in silt or algae.
• No drugs/alcohol – Don’t do anything that can impair your judgement in the slightest. Even a single drink could dull your senses and cause a mishap.
• Never swim alone – Never enter any body of water without the presence of another adult. Even calm waters, such as area lakes, can have undercurrents as well as fallen trees and other obstacles that can create snag hazards and impair a person’s ability to swim.
There are plenty of opportunities to get your feet wet and escape the summer swelter in Highlands, but let’s all make sure we are staying safe and thereby avoiding catastrophes.