Law enforcement stresses water safety during busy holiday weekend

Labor Day is one of the busiest weekends at Smith Mountain Lake

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – With lots of people hitting the water this Labor Day weekend for the unofficial end of summer, law enforcement officers are reminding everyone to stay safe.

Officials with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said they want to make sure people know the rules on the water, including wearing proper life jackets and using lights on their boats at night.

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Some of the biggest issues they see involve alcohol. They said if you do plan on drinking on the water, make sure you have a designated operator.

"Water and alcohol don't mix. Not when it comes to safety issues and we push the idea… Be responsible, be safe and have fun. We always put fun number three because if you do the first two, you can do it again tomorrow," said Karl Martin, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Law Enforcement Division officer.

All Game and Inland Fisheries law enforcement officers are going to be patrolling on the water this weekend.


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