With school out for the summer and warmer temperatures arriving across Northwest Georgia, swimming safety is an important reminder for local families.

Chattooga County does not currently have public swimming pools available, which means many residents either travel outside the county to swim in a pool or turn to local rivers, creeks, lakes, and swimming holes to cool off.

Safety officials say swimming in natural waterways is very different from swimming in a controlled pool environment. Rivers and creeks can have strong currents, hidden drop-offs, slippery rocks, underwater debris, and sudden changes in depth. Water conditions can also change quickly after heavy rainfall.

Unlike a swimming pool, natural water is often murky, making it harder to see rocks, stumps, tree limbs, fishing line, or uneven bottoms beneath the surface. Officials warn swimmers never to dive into unfamiliar water.

Children should always be closely supervised around any body of water, and life jackets are strongly recommended for young children, weaker swimmers, and anyone near deep or moving water.

Swimmers should also stay away from dams, spillways, and fast-moving water. During summer storms, everyone should leave the water immediately if thunder or lightning develops nearby.

Officials say families can still enjoy Chattooga County’s natural waterways this summer by staying alert, swimming with a buddy, using proper safety gear, and understanding that rivers, creeks, and lakes carry risks that swimming pools do not.