Recent drowning underscores importance of water safety

In any other year, Labor Day would signal the end of the summer season for most outdoor-themed businesses.

With the pandemic happening and few other entertainment options, the season may last a big longer.

With nature, with the river ina safe responsiblemanner."NEW AT 11 - APOTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVINGREMINDER..

A 20-YEAR-OLD MANDROWNED IN EAST FORK LAKETODAY.

THAT..

AS MANY PEOPLEARE SPENDING MORE TIME ON THEWATER.WCPO 9 NEWS REPORTER JAKE RYLELOOKS AT WHY PEOPLE NEED TOBE EVEN MORE VIGILANT AROUNDTHE WATER RIGHT NOW."Typically Labor Day wouldsignal the end of the summerseason.

With the pandemichappening, officials here withMorgan's Outdoor Adventuressay that season may last a bitlonger."(GIRL NAT POP)THE SOUNDS OFSUMMER..

COMING TO ACLOSE., "This isn't the perfectseason we would've dreamed of."DIRK MORGAN..

OF MORGAN'SCANOE AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES..SAYS WITH THE PANDEMIC..

THEIRBUSINESS MODEL HAS CHANGED,TOO.People are working from home.They can be more flexible withtheir schedules.

We're seeingmore people come Sunday night,Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,"MORGAN SAYS COVID-19 HASCAUSED A LOT OF FOLKS TO TAKETO THE WATER ON THEIR OWN..BUT WITH A LONGERSEASON.."We're thinking more aboutCOVID.

When we're on thewater, we can't forget aboutthe basics of water safety."MORGAN KNOWS..

HOW QUICKLYTHINGS CANCHANGE."We've seen from a recenttragedy.

Even in shallowerwater, 4-6 feet, if you're notfamiliar with water it can bedangerous."20-YEAR-OLD PEDRORODRIGUEZ DIED MONDAY MORNINGAT EAST FORK LAKE.PEOPLE ONTHE SHORE FORMED A CHAIN TOGET HIM TO SAFEY.when they're working on himthey try to do their best theytry to get a pulse back youknow to bring him back to lifebut you never can tell howit's going to turn out.THETRAGEDY..

COMES AS A REMINDERFOR THOSE LOOKING TO GETAWAY.They can't forget aboutsafety.

When you go out on theriver, lake or stream, youneed to wear a life jacket."ASANOTHER SEASON GOESDOWNSTREAM.."It's been a difficultseason, but a good season forus.

We want to end on a highnote"OFFICIALS ARE HOPINGFOLKS WILL PADDLE AHEAD..SAFELY., " Before we know it.

COVIDor not COVID it's going to bewinter, and we'll be backinside again.

We'll be back towishing we had these beautifuldays like we have right now.IN MORROW..JAKE RYLE, WCPO 9 NEWS