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Drownings Are More Common During the Summer Months, Frankfort Beach Safety Precautions

Across northern Michigan, drownings become more common during the summer months. With the high temperatures, people often find themselves cooling off at the beach or at the lake. But there are some safety tips to keep in mind before you jump in the water.

“The weather conditions can change, the water currents can change, anything can change. Safety is paramount when you’re anywhere near any type of water.” Says Frankfort Fire Chief, Michael Cederholm.

Cederholm, has always been a strong believer in learning how to swim. He say it is the most important precaution that you can take when it comes to swimming in a body of water.

“Any place that offers training and swimming I definitely encourage to take it if you’re uncertain.” Cederholm says.

He also recommends using a floatation device if you still feel uncomfortable. To find an appropriate life jacket for yourself or your family, Cederholm says to find a store that has jackets that are Coast Guard approved and specific to a particular age and weight.

As far as younger children, Cederholm says to make sure they aren’t venturing off by themselves. Adult supervision is important when children are in or near the water, including walking out on the pier at Frankfort Beach.

“Even though the waters appear calm, sometimes they’re very very dangerous.” Cederholm says.

A specific danger commonly found in the Great Lakes are rip currents. Rip currents create an undertow that can pull people underwater and out further into the lake. Cederholm heavily encourages not trying to fight a rip current because it will pull you down. Instead, he says to swim parallel to the shoreline and on a slight angle until you reach the shore.

If you find yourself panicking, instead of thrashing about in the water, Cederholm says to float. Floating can help you relax and stay calm in the water until you feel comfortable again or are able to get help.

Luckily, Frankfort beach is one of two locations connected to the Great Lakes that has a that warns swimmers when it comes to dangerous water conditions.

This year, the city was able to upgrade the system by installing a weather station that provides real time wind speed, humidity and temperature. There was also a camera installed on the lighthouse that allows operators to check the weather and waves remotely when it comes to the dangers of the pier.

“The light system has been a major advancement for us from a technology standpoint, and based on our conversations with Swimsmart, they will be able to integrate the weather station into the app so we can provide immediate data.” says Frankfort Superintendent, Joshua Mills.

Sometimes, people may choose to ignore the light and flag warnings around beaches in the state, but emergency crews say any warning, especially red lights or flag days, need to be taken seriously.

“We’ve discovered through the years that you’re going to have all kinds of signage up warning people. We’re going to have people on the front lines warning people and they still feel drawn to the structure,” says Mills. “Especially people from out of state, they think Lake Michigan is just a lake, well it’s our ocean, and on the Great Lakes and the weather in Michigan, it can change in a moment.”

Listening to warning signs and following water safety precautions can save your life and your family member’s lives.

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