As summer comes to a close, Metro is concluding another successful year of promoting water safety around the region. Metro’s Parks and Nature staff have distributed more than 4,700 life jackets to community members.
“We consider this work to be part of our commitment to health and safety,” said Metro’s Parks and Nature director Jon Blasher. “We know that life jackets are a crucial tool for keeping people safe in natural water, but they only work if people have access to them and know to use them.”
Many life jackets were distributed through community-based organizations including WaterStrong, Black Swimming Initiative and Verde. Hundreds of other jackets were distributed by Metro’s Parks and Nature staff at community events throughout the summer, from the Willamette Falls Lamprey Celebration in June to the Phi Nu Fish Fry in September.
Metro also stocked approximately 900 life jackets that visitors could borrow at all its boat ramps and parks with water access over the course of the summer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon has the 10th highest rate of drowning fatalities in the country. In 2024, the most recent year that Oregon Health Authority has statistics for, 34 people died in Oregon by drowning in natural water (a term that includes rivers, lakes and ocean).
People often think that if they know how to swim, they will be safe in any body of water. But natural water can have hidden hazards: temperature fluctuations, currents, underwater snags and more. Even experienced swimmers can get into trouble in open water. Whether you’re boating, floating, or just splashing around, remember these safety tips:
- Wear a life jacket
- Enter natural water cautiously and feet-first
- Keep a close eye on children in or around water
- Swim with a buddy
- Boat and swim sober
Learn more at oregonmetro.gov/watersafety.
Source: Metro