Northern Californians enjoyed Memorial Day splashing around in the American and Sacramento Rivers and state park lakes. While relaxing by the lake is fun, California State Parks reports that drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths in state parks. Folsom Lake beach has three lifeguard stands, but only one lifeguard to watch over everyone enjoying the lake. Due to a staffing shortage, there aren't many lifeguards on duty. The one lifeguard is busy keeping people safe at crowded Beales Point. “There's only one lifeguard, one of 20 million,” says Heather Roche. That's why she and her friend Darrelyn Dennis keep a close eye on their daughters as they swim in the lake. “We look out for each other's kids. We know where they are at all times. We know they have a life preserver and hopefully they won't drown,” Roche says. That device is a life jacket. “When you can't see the ground on the lake, everyone has to wear a life jacket for safety. That's our rule,” Denise says. Their daughters, Zoe, 9, and Claire, 10, are strong swimmers and even compete on the swim team. But the mothers teach their kids not to go in the water without a life jacket. “They've been on the swim team since they were 4 and they've been learning to swim, but it doesn't matter because on the lake you need to be safe,” Roche says. The girls said they don't mind wearing seat belts when swimming, but that all kids should wear a life jacket. “I wear a life jacket. If you don't know how to swim or you're not a good swimmer, the life jacket helps you float,” Claire Denise says. Zoe Roche agrees. “I wear a life jacket. That way you stay safe and there won't be any accidents,” Zoe Roche says. The girls also use the buddy system. They tie their ankles to each other's paddle boards to stay together and keep an eye on each other. Lifeguards say to make sure your life jacket fits properly. Most children can't wear adult-sized life jackets because they're too big. Read more California's top stories | Download our app.
Northern Californians spent Memorial Day splashing around in the American and Sacramento rivers and in lakes in state parks.
While spending time lounging by the lake can be fun and relaxing, the California State Parks Department reports that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in state parks.
Folsom Lake beach has three lifeguard stands but only one lifeguard to supervise people enjoying the lake. Due to a staffing shortage, there are not many lifeguards on duty. The one lifeguard is busy keeping people safe at the crowded Beales Point.
“There's only one lifeguard, so you're just one person out of 20 million,” Heather Roche said.
So she and her friend Darrelyn Dennis keep a close eye on their daughters as they swim in the lake.
“We care about each other's kids, we know where they are at all times, we know they have life preservers and hopefully they won't drown,” Roche said.
That device is a life jacket.
“When you're on the lake and you can't see the ground, everyone has to wear a life jacket for safety. That's our rule,” Dennis said.
Their daughters, Zoe, 9, and Claire, 10, are strong swimmers and compete on the swim team, but their mothers have told them never to go in the water without wearing life jackets.
“They've been on the swim team since they were 4 years old, but it doesn't matter because they need to be safe on the lake,” Roche said.
The girls said they don't mind wearing seat belts when swimming, but that all children should wear life jackets.
“I wear a life jacket. If you don't know how to swim or you're not a good swimmer, the life jacket helps you float,” Claire Denis said.
Zoe Roche agrees.
“I wear a life jacket so that everyone is safe and there's no accidents,” Zoe Roche said.
The girls also use the buddy system, tying their ankles to each other's paddle boards to stay connected and keep an eye on each other.
Lifeguards will tell you to make sure your life jacket fits properly, as most children cannot wear adult-sized life jackets because they are too big.
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