With Memorial Day Weekend right around the corner, Maricopa County is reminding the public to keep safety top of mind while enjoying outdoor activities like swimming, boating, and hiking.

“If you're planning to visit one of our beautiful county parks or lakes over Memorial Day weekend, please enjoy responsibly and safely," said Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, who represents District 2 in Maricopa County.

"Even the most experienced boaters, swimmers, and hikers can fall victim to fatal boating accidents on our lakes or heat-related illnesses on our trails. These incidents can be prevented if we work together to put safety first," he said.

Nearly 1.2 million people visited Lake Pleasant Regional Park in 2023, making it the county's most visited park. Memorial Day Weekend marks peak visiting season, with cars lined up for miles along Carefree Highway, waiting for their chance to enjoy the lake. While most County park visitors are vigilant about safety, there were nine drownings in Maricopa County last year alone. The sheriff's office was also called to assist with 149 search and rescue missions, 44 more than the year prior.

“The lakes and rivers within Maricopa County are one of the most utilized areas in the nation for watercraft recreation. Accidents on the water can happen when you least expect them," said Sheriff Russ Skinner. "To ensure a safe outing, please avoid swimming alone, wear a personal floatation device, refrain from or limit the consumption of alcohol, stay hydrated, and never leave children unattended near water. If you’re new to operating a watercraft, I strongly encourage taking an operator safety class prior to hitting the water. While lake patrol deputies and volunteers are trained to quickly respond to calls for help, proactively taking these steps can prevent tragic situations and better protect you and your loved ones."

As you're making plans for Memorial Day Weekend, please remember these key safety tips:

On the lake:
• Avoid swimming alone when possible.
• Never leave young kids unattended near water.
• Stay attentive and avoid distractions while supervising.
• If a child goes missing, always check the water first.
• Wear a life jacket, even if you’re an experienced swimmer.
• Protect yourself from the sun with sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat.

On the trail:
• Research trails ahead of time.
• Avoid hiking alone when possible.
• Hydrate before and throughout your hike.
• Wear appropriate footwear, clothing, eye protection, and sunscreen.
• Bring plenty of water, snacks, a cell phone, and a portable cell phone charger.
• Tell someone where you will be hiking in case you lose service.
• Assess whether it may be too hot to bring your canine friends.
• When your water is half gone, turn around and return to the trailhead.
• Make sure to stay on the trail.
• And if you see wildlife, don’t get too close.

If you experience symptoms like a throbbing headache, a fever of over 103 degrees, or nausea and vomiting, please call 9-1-1 and take immediate action to cool down.

To plan your visit to one of Maricopa County’s 12 regional parks, visit maricopacountyparks.net.