Put in the Work to Have a Safe Labor Day Weekend in California’s State Parks
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Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
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Following basic safety tips can help you have a safe and enjoyable time recreating in California’s state parks during Labor Day weekend and all year long. Photos from California State Parks.
SACRAMENTO – As the unofficial end of summer approaches, California State Parks is reminding visitors to recreate safely in the outdoors during Labor Day weekend. California’s 280 (and growing) state parks offer something for everyone. By following key safety tips such as wearing a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, avoiding alcohol, and practicing fire safety, you and your loved ones can enjoy a safe and memorable experience in the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system.
Here are some key safety guidelines:
• Plan ahead. Know what to bring and avoid.
- Schedule activities based on temperatures throughout the day.
- Dress in appropriate clothing for your planned activities. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen will shield you from the sun.
- Stay energized and hydrated by bringing snacks and plenty of water.
- Skip the alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is not permitted in some state parks. Check each specific park website to determine if there are local posted orders concerning alcohol.
- Hiking is better together. Always hike with a friend and bring appropriate supplies, such as water, sunscreen and appropriate shoes and clothing.
- Operating vehicles, including a boat or an off-highway vehicle, while impaired is against the law. Impaired drivers and boaters can be arrested and their car or boat can be towed.
• Respect the water. Wear a Life Jacket.
- Wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket around the water. Water-related incidents can happen suddenly, and wearing a life jacket is the best way to increase chances of survival. View locations where public agencies and private organizations loan life jackets to the public.
- If you encounter an ocean rip current, stay calm and do not fight it. Swim or float parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance.
- Call 911 or seek help from a nearby lifeguard during emergencies.
- Avoid rope swings and diving headfirst into the water.
• Be mindful of fire safety.
- Never leave fires unattended and remember to fully extinguish fires before leaving. Keep water and a shovel nearby.
- Open campfires should be built in clear areas away from fuels such as logs, brush or decaying leaves and needles. Avoid building fires larger than necessary.
• Become a safety pro with OuterSpatial.
- Experience a safer outdoor adventure with the OuterSpatial app—your ultimate guide to California’s state parks. Navigate through a user-friendly interactive map, receive accurate directions, and stay updated in real-time for secure park exploration. OuterSpatial integrates with what3words to allow visitors to communicate precise locations in emergency situations, even in remote areas.
You can find additional safety tips and information on backpacking, biking, camping, horseback trails and regulations at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips. To find a state park near you, visit parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park.
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The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
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Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.