The Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and Hurricane City are partnering for the Life Jacket Education and Enforcement Initiative, also known as the Life Jacket Blitz. This initiative aims to increase life jacket use and improve water safety for paddleboarders and other recreational water users in Washington County.
According to a news release, the program combines public education, community outreach, media awareness, and targeted enforcement to reduce preventable water-related incidents at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks. The initiative began during Labor Day weekend and is scheduled to run through the month of September.
Officials noted that water safety is a shared responsibility and emphasized that conditions on the water can change quickly. The program encourages outdoor recreationists to ensure they have proper safety equipment, understand boating and life jacket requirements, and wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
The initiative's central message is Wear it, Utah! to encourage usage. More information regarding Utah state parks can be found at stateparks.utah.gov, and boating laws and rules are available at recreation.utah.gov.
