The Medicine Hat Fire Service is urging river safety. There have been at least seven reported drownings province-wide since last Friday ( Tiffany Goodwein/ CHAT NEWS)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Medicine Hat Fire Service urging river safety

Aug 14, 2020 | 5:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The Medicine Hat Fire Service is urging river-goers to practice safety, as people look to cool off this weekend.

Since last Friday alone, there have been seven reported drownings province-wide. It also marks two weeks since a 31-year-old tragically drowned in the South Saskatchewan River.

Chad Eakins Assistant Deputy fire Chief recommends the use of life-jackets for everyone on the water. He also advises checking the conditions before heading to the river, and carrying a safety kit that includes a cellphone or sound device that notifies people if you are in trouble.

” Check what the weather conditions are because they can change quite quickly especially with the hot weather storms can roll in if you are using the river at all. Be aware of the hazards and make sure you pack the proper supplies, whether that’s water, sunscreen hats, that kind of thing for being out there,” Eakins said.

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More river -safety tips can be found here.