Macon-Bibb Deputy Fire Chief speaks on water safety after Ocmulgee River drownings

Deputy Fire Chief Ron Smith emphasizes the need for caution, stating that while rivers and lakes provide relief from summer heat, they also pose serious risks.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon-Bibb Fire Department is making the community aware about the dangers while swimming in a river or lake after four drownings in the Ocmulgee River recently.

Deputy Fire Chief Ron Smith emphasizes the need for caution, stating that while rivers and lakes provide relief from summer heat, they also pose serious risks. He warned about hazards such as underwater debris and currents.

“When people get dehydrated, they get tired, they get fatigued. It can turn somebody who is an avid swimmer into the same category as a non swimmer,” Smith said.

Macon resident Penny Barrentine acknowledges the risks when going out into the water, but says it’s important to us common sense and caution.

“You always take the risk anytime you go in Mother Nature’s backyard, but I don’t know. It’s just, like I said, use common sense and a little bit of caution and you should be fine,” Barrentine explained.

Smith highlighted the importance of wearing life jackets.

“The safest factor is to wear a life jacket. And we can take a lot of bad variables out of play just by putting that life jacket on,” Smith said.

In an effort to promote water safety, the Macon-Bibb County Health Department donated life jackets to the Recreation Departments today, making them available for children at public pools throughout Macon.