LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Lake Mead is expected to be a hot spot over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and visitors were already flocking there on Friday.
Families were enjoying Boulder Beach while also keeping socially distant. And when it comes to water safety, more options are available as well.
Lake Mead reopens for annual pass holders
For Jennifer Razevich and her son Paul, safety is a must. Before going to the water, he wears water shoes and a life jacket.
"It helps me swim, so like I don't go underwater or anything," he said, before jumping in the water again.
Other kids are now able to use a life jacket too, thanks to the three new life jackets loaner stations available at Boulder Beach over the weekend.
"When people come out to swim, they really should wear a life jacket. And in case they don't have one, they can borrow one of ours at no cost," said Christie Vanover, public information officer at Lake Mead.
The new stations are located along the Boulder Beach area, Special Events Beach, and Canoe-Kayak Beach. Each station is stocked with life jackets available in sizes from infant to adult with posted instructions.
Southern Nevada park officials providing safety tips for recreating outdoors
Get Outdoors Nevada, the park's official partner, helps provide the life jackets through the Love Lake Mead campaign.
Also, in windy conditions, Vanover says to keep pool toys out of the water and make sure any tents are secure, so they don't blow away.
Additional safety reminders are as follows:
-Wear a life jacket while swimming and boating
-Fireworks are prohibited at all times.
-Seasonal fire restrictions are in place. Campfires are not allowed in the back-country, except along shorelines.
-Shoreline campfires must be 100 feet from vegetation and structures and in a fire pit or grill.
-Limit group sizes to 10 or less and spread out at least 10 feet from the group next to yours.
-Pack out your trash or place it in a park dumpster.
-Don't drink and drive or operate a boat.
