First responders stress water safety ahead of busy summer months: 'Dont' do anything stupid'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the weather warms up, more people will be heading to Chicago's beaches.
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Chicago firefighters and the Coast Guard displayed how fast a day on the water can turn dangerous Thursday.
CFD said they keep 30 divers on call every day as a precaution.
"Know what your swimming capabilities are always. Know the Chicago Fire Department is here to support any operations," said Jason Lach, with CFD.
Officials from the fire department, Chicago Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Chicago Park District and U.S. Coast Guard teamed up to give a live demonstration of rescuing a victim from Lake Michigan.
They emphasized the importance of wearing a life jacket and to check the requirements needed to captain a boat.
They also urged to never swim alone or at night, only swim if a lifeguard is near, take swim lessons and learn CPR.
OEMC partnered with Marvel Comics to use the character "Ironheart" to bring preparedness information to the city.
The campaign features topics like reporting suspicious activity and severe weather.
One woman who knows the personal loss of losing someone in the water is pushing water safety forward.
She's turning pain into purpose.
Wilbert Hayes lost his life while swimming. His wife, Latoya, says she has been determined to continue his legacy of giving back, even opening up a space to teach water safety to those in Black and brown communities.
"He definitely knew how to swim. But unfortunately, things can happen in the water," she said.
Hayes says her husband was out swimming in Lake Michigan with his daughter when he died nearly two years ago.
"That water does not discriminate how good of a swimmer you are or who you are. My husband was a hero," Hayes said.
Hayes, who was an engineer for the Chicago Fire Department, was off-duty at the time. But his legacy lives on through her.
Inside a Garfield Park community gathering space, called The Coop, is where she wants the change to happen. Hayes offers health and wellness gatherings there, including water safety training.
"Sixty seven percent of Black and brown, especially the Black community, don't know how to swim. And a lot of the times, if we're not aware of something, how can we teach or express that to our children?" Hayes said.
Those like Hayes have made it a priority to put her 4-year-old granddaughter, Aubrie, in swimming lessons.
"I want for you to have a great time and be able to go back home to your family and friends. Something that's supposed to be so joyous should be just that," Hayes said.
Other safety tips include:
- Wear a life jacket
- Boaters should be mindful of break wall locations at all times
- Boating Under the Influence is just as deadly as drinking and driving
- Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids
- Learn how to escape a rip current
- Heed the warnings and obey signage or officials on path closures
- Be aware of points along the lakefront
- Report suspicious activity
- Download the Chicago OEMC app
