Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies will be on roads and waterways this Labor Day weekend, making sure everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
Cecilia Barreda with the sheriff’s public information office said deputies would be out in full force to help create extra awareness to be safe during the last summer holiday.
Safety on the county’s waterways will be one area of focus. Barreda also reminded residents to be careful around water of all kinds, including backyard pools. Drowning and near-drowning accidents are not uncommon. Most can be prevented, she said.

The Center for Disease Control recommends designating a responsible adult to watch young children who are swimming or playing around water. When young children are involved, an adult should be within arm’s reach at all times. Adults should take care not to become distracted by activities, such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or texting.
Boat injuries also increase during the summer months and holiday weekends. The sheriff’s marine unit takes advantage of the increase in boater traffic to conduct its boating safety awareness campaign and Operation Kid Float.
Deputies will be stopping vessels to conduct safety inspections, and kids “caught” wearing their life jackets will get an Operation Kid Float T-shirt. Deputies also will be looking for boat operators who are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
According to 2009 statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 18.5 percent of boating fatalities were caused by alcohol or drug use. In 2009, 65 people died in boating accidents in the state. Boaters falling overboard and drowning was the main cause of death.
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