ATLANTA, July 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power is joining the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remind Georgians of the importance of water safety this summer.  According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children 1 to 4 years of age, with more than 200 Georgians dying from accidental drowning last year. The SPLASH program, a longstanding Georgia DNR initiative, aims to greatly reduce the number of these deaths and injuries. 

SPLASH tips for enjoying Georgia's beaches, lakes and rivers this summer include:

• Supervision – Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.
• Prevention – Wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in hot tubs and pools.
• Look before you leap – Never jump into water without knowing how deep it is and what is below the surface.
• Arm's Length – Adults should be arm's length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.
• Swim Lessons – Knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.
• Have a Water Safety Plan – Know what to do during an emergency.

Georgia Power, which owns and operates 15 lake properties across the state for power generation and resident recreation, provides recreational opportunities year round for the public at more than 40 sites across the state, including lake properties such as Lakes Oconee and Sinclair in Central Georgia and Lakes Burton and Rabun in North Georgia. It's easy to find information about the Georgia Power lake near you at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Lakes. In addition to property information, including facilities and amenities, local attractions and water safety information, the sites allow visitors to check current lake conditions, virtually explore camp sites and browse an interactive fish guide for each of the lakes.  

About Georgia Power 
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power