With sunny skies and soaring temperatures expected in the days leading up to the long Independence Day weekend, King County officials are urging everyone to be extremely careful when heading out on the water.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cRivers and lakes are beautiful, but they can be dangerous too, and it is important to use caution and wear a life vest when going out on the water,\u201d said Christie True, Director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, in a media release.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cLife jackets are to water like seat belts are to cars \u2013 standard safety equipment for the trip,\u201d said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health \u2013 Seattle & King County. \u201cFor safer swimming, take advantage of local life-guarded beaches or pools.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A 2012 study of recreational river use along the Cedar River confirmed that water-related summer recreation is greatly determined by warm temperatures.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When temperatures are in the 70s, there are likely to be floaters on the river. Swimming, inner-tubing and related activities soar when temperatures top 80 or more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lakes, rivers and Puget Sound can all be extremely cold this time of year. Swift rivers fed by an above-average snow melt are still hovering below 50 degrees, while temperatures on Puget Sound and area lakes not much warmer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n