As the largest non-governmental provider of recreation facilities in the state, Georgia Power is reminding customers and lake visitors of water safety for the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 1 to 4 years of age, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health and SPLASH, a longstanding Georgia Department of Natural Resources initiative supported by Georgia Power. Through public outreach, the organizations aim to greatly reduce the number of these deaths and injuries.

SPLASH encourages citizens to follow these tips when enjoying beaches, pools, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water:

Supervision – Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.

Prevention – Wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in pools.

Look before you leap – Never jump into water without knowing how deep it is and what is below the surface.

Arm's Length – Adults should be arm's length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.

Swim Lessons – Knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.

Have a Water Safety Plan – Know what to do during an emergency.

Georgia Power provides recreational opportunities year-round for the public at more than 40 sites.  The company owns and operates 15 lake properties across Georgia for power generation and resident recreation, making it easy to find a Georgia Power lake near to you.

Find out more by visiting Georgia Power's Lakes & Recreation site. There you will find detailed information about all of the Georgia Power properties, including facilities and amenities, local attractions and water safety information. On the site, visitors can also check current lake conditions, virtually explore camp sites and browse an interactive fish guide for each of the lakes.