Detroit Lakes, MN — With the Fourth of July weekend fast approaching, health professionals are urging families to prioritize water safety—especially as crowds flock to Minnesota’s lake country for the holiday.
During a recent appearance on the KDLM’s Hodge Podge, Vanessa Collman, health educator at Becker County Public Health, and Dr. Benita Beem, a primary care physician at Essentia Health, shared timely and important reminders about water safety—particularly for children.
“This is trauma season,” said Collman. “We see a much higher rate of unintentional injuries in the summer, especially drowning. Our goal is to help everyone—locals and visitors alike—stay safe while enjoying the lakes.”
Drowning: Silent and Fast
Dr. Beem emphasized how drowning often doesn’t look the way it’s portrayed in movies. “It’s usually fast and silent,” she said. “Kids can drown in as little as 20 seconds. Adults, under a minute. That’s why constant, focused supervision is critical.”
She also explained the danger of the “drowning position,” where a person is vertical in the water and begins to sink due to reduced buoyancy. The key, she said, is to maintain a horizontal position in the water and, most importantly, to wear a life jacket.
Life Jackets: The First Line of Defense
Both Collman and Dr. Beem stressed the importance of properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially for children. Floaties and inflatable devices are not reliable safety gear and can deflate or slip off.
“Life jackets go by weight, not age, so make sure you get the right fit,” Dr. Beem said. “And nowadays, they even make cool-looking ones, so there’s no excuse.”
Minnesota law requires that children under 10 wear a life jacket while on a boat. In addition, each person on a vessel must have an approved life jacket on board. Boats must also carry a legal throwable flotation device—such as a cushion—for emergency rescues.
Designate a Water Watcher
Another critical tip: assign someone to be a “water watcher”—an adult whose only job is to supervise swimmers without distractions.
“It’s easy to assume someone else is watching,” said Collman. “But accidents happen quickly. Having a designated person can save lives.”
As lake traffic builds this holiday season, local health leaders hope these reminders will lead to safer celebrations and fewer tragedies.