Water safety for people and pets
Whether staying home, camping, enjoying the Red Deer River or other outdoor activities, the City of Red Deer is asking residents to remember to take the proper precautions for chosen activities to ensure everyone remains safe.
If you are looking to beat the heat with some water activities, remember to assess the safety and conditions of the river before entering.
Here are some tips for responsible river use:
- Estimate your time of arrival and make sure someone knows your itinerary.
- Be prepared for unexpected conditions and pack your raft or boat with suitable warm clothing, water and other necessities in case of emergencies.
- Life jackets should be worn at all times.
- Carry oars or paddles to navigate and avoid obstacles.
- Use proper floating devices. Inflatable toys are designed for floating on lakes, not in flowing waters.
- Do not tie rafts, tubes or dinghies together. When rafts are tied together, rafters run the risk of getting caught up around bridge pillars and floating debris.
- Take your garbage with you, recycle beverage containers and dispose of discarded rafts responsibly.
- Alcohol consumption along the river is illegal and violators can be fined.
- It is illegal to park along highway embankments, including the QEII Highway.