Highway Patrol urges wearing a life jacket while swimming this summer

As the temperatures continue to heat up in mid-Missouri, authorities are reminding residents about best water safety practices.

Col. J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said life jackets are imperative to help prevent drownings.

According to state law, children under the age of 7 are required to wear a life jacket when on a watercraft.

The Highway Patrol recommends having young children wear a life jacket whenever they’re near or in the water. Teens and adults who chose not to wear a life jacket should have one or another flotation device within reach.

Officials also want to remind people driving a watercraft to use common sense and good judgement on the water.

So far this year there have been 14 drownings across Missouri, which is four fewer than this time last year.