Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 29, 2016 5A
Market Saturday
JOLeNe GuzMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Erin Purdie, left, and Tracy Blankenship taste honey at the Coffman Farms booth at
the Riverview Farmers Market on Saturday. Warm temperatures brought out cus-
tomers — and more than a few children who wanted to cool off at the fountain.
JOLeNe GuzMAN/Itemizer-Observer
Playing on or near the water was a popular way to pass the time during Saturday’s
warm temperatures. State official while the weather is warm, the water is cold.
Fireworks: Be considerate of pets,
neighbors when using fireworks
Continued from Page 1A
If you are planning to visit
Oregon parks, beaches or
public forestland over the
holiday, it may be best to
leave the fireworks at home,
as their use is prohibited at
those locations.
Oregon law bans posses-
sion, use, or sale of fire-
works that fly, explode, or
travel more than six feet on
the ground or 12 inches
into the air.
Fi re w o rk s c o m m o n l y
called bottle rockets, Roman
candles, and firecrackers are
illegal in Oregon.
Your best bet in making
sure you are following the
law is to purchase fireworks
at permitted retailers and
stands in Oregon.
If you don’t, officials may
seize illegal fireworks and
fine offenders up to $500 per
violation. You also could be
responsible for damages.
“All Oregonians share the
responsibility to use only
legal fireworks and use them
carefully,” said Chief Deputy
State Fire Marshal Mariana
Ruiz-Temple. “And we en-
courage you to be aware and
considerate of neighbors
and their pets, before decid-
ing on when and where you
choose to light fireworks."
Be safe in the water this summer with these tips
Itemizer-Observer staff report
POLK COuNTY — Pleasant temperatures
and a three-day holiday weekend approach-
ing will have plenty of people thinking about
spending time on the water this July Fourth.
Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and
other state agencies are reminding people
to stay safe and sober on the water.
OSMB’s safe boating tips include:
• Know the rules of the waterway by tak-
ing a “safe boating course” or online pad-
dling course.
• Stay sober or have a designated “driver.”
Just like on land, alcohol or other intoxicants
affect judgement, vision, balance and coor-
dination, increasing the chances of an acci-
dent. Keep in mind boating under the influ-
ence of intoxicants is a crime, subject to loss
of boating privileges and a $6,250 fine.
• Prepare your boat’s engine before head-
ing out. Blended fuels require fuel stabilizers
for boat engines.
• Be aware of carbon monoxide. Passen-
gers can be exposed to carbon monoxide
when hanging on to the back of the boat or
swimming platform to body surf or “teak
surf.” Teak surfing is illegal in Oregon and
can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
which could lead to drowning.
• Be courteous on the water.
• Be cautious of waterway obstructions
like snags and fallen trees.
• Let friends or family know of your “float
plan” — where you are going and when you
plan to return.
• Last, but certainly not least, wear a life
jacket even if you consider yourself a strong
swimmer. River currents, unseen obstruc-
tions and unexpectedly cold water tempera-
tures can lead to accidents. A life jacket is the
best defense, according to OSMB.
Tyree Wilde, the warning coordination
meteorologist for the National Weather Serv-
ice in Portland, said water temperatures in
local rivers are running about 57 degrees to
65 degrees. Those headed to the beach
should keep in mind the ocean is much cold-
er, in the low- to mid-50s.
While hypothermia could take an hour or
more to set in based on water temperature,
people can run into trouble much sooner.
If the water is cold enough, it can cause an
involuntary gasp reflex on contact, causing a
swimmer to inhale water. Within 10 minutes
what is called “cold water paralysis” can set
in, Wilde said. The condition is a symptom of
the body trying to preserve its core tempera-
ture and pushing blood to vital organs. Mus-
cles in arms and legs lose coordination and
being cramping, making it difficult to swim.
“People must exercise caution when visit-
ing area rivers and the ocean this Fourth of
July holiday,” Wilde said. “Hot weather and
cold water just doesn’t mix. The best advice
is to wear a life jacket and be aware of the
risk.”