This coming Tuesday, most of you will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers — soaking up some rays and ending the night with a show of fireworks. Some of you may also be spending your time by the pool, the lake, the ocean or the river. With so much on your minds, from gathering the fireworks to preparing for your Fourth of July cookout, you may make the biggest and possibly deadliest mistake that you can make at this time of the year.

This past week, I visited Matagorda beach in Matagorda, Texas. The Colorado River happened to run parallel to my campground, running into the Gulf of Mexico. At this time, Tropical Storm Cindy was affecting the intensity of the ocean and likewise, the river. However, numerous people were floating and swimming in the river when it was evident that the currents were strong. This, though, is not the problem. The problem is that these individuals were not wearing lifejackets. Often, people swim in large bodies of water where they are unable to touch the ground without any type of assistance. While none of these persons were harmed, the unpredictability of rivers and even lakes can easily cause a person to be caught off guard, resulting in injury and/or death.

Recently, two individuals have drowned in South Carolina Rivers. In one case, the cause of death was determined to be death by drowning. While wishing condolences to these families, I will also urge you to make sure that you take the necessary safety precautions before venturing into the water with your family. If you’re unsure of where to begin, adult paddling vests can be purchased at Walmart for $20 or less and child vests are $15.

The price of purchasing lifejackets before hitting the lake or taking a river adventure for Independence day might make a dent in your wallet but life is so much more valuable. I encourage you all to invest in a lifejacket for this holiday and if you don’t plan on enjoying the water, please pass this on to someone else who needs it.

Be safe and Happy Fourth of July.