River fun for Labor Day means extra precaution

The deadly crash in Santa Cruz Island definitely hits close to home here in Yuma. Many people from all over, flock to our region, especially over long holiday weekends. Our rivers and lakes are very popular among tourists and visitors. Many times, if appropriate precautions are not taken, it can prove deadly.

Law enforcement does have a reminder for visitors to the lakes and rivers who go out and enjoy the water during the triple-digit temperatures.

Yuma County Sheriff’s encourages everyone to keep drinking to a minimum. If you are operating a boat, do not consume any alcohol as of course, it can impact your ability to stay in control. They also want to remind you to use life jackets when going anywhere near water.

Safety for most is a top priority, so is fun. Hundreds of families simply laid out their beach chairs and pitched their umbrellas and enjoyed a day to celebrate the unofficial end of Summer.

Those triple-digit temps we are expecting are also something to keep in mind. Alejandro Cervantes and his family packed up and headed to the river to enjoy the holiday.

“For the heat, we have water…a little bit of beer for us,” said Cervantes. “For the kids we also try to keep them close to shore since it gets deeper further out in the river”

Many parents and grandparents, like Rose McCarthy, are taking extra precaution when taking kids to the river.

“One of us stays with the kids all the time,” said McCarthy. “They’re never left alone…because we have to watch them.”

28 million Americans were expected to travel by car. On this Labor Day, September is typically when winter visitors start returning to Yuma. The population is expected to double by December.