HOLIDAY CLOSURES

The following agencies are closed today in observance of the Fourth of July, unless otherwise specified:

• Federal offices

• U.S. Postal Service closed Saturday

• Sacramento Public Library closed Saturday

• El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo county offices

• Auburn, Citrus Heights, Davis, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Lincoln, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Woodland and city of West Sacramento city offices

• Sacramento Municipal Utility District offices

• El Dorado Transit

• Placer County Transit and Placer Commuter Express

• Roseville Transit commuter runs on limited service today, call for schedule; Roseville Transit Fixed Route and Commuter Service closed Saturday

• Sacramento Regional Transit operates on a Sunday/holiday schedule Saturday

• Yolobus operates on a holiday schedule Saturday

WATER SAFETY TIPS

With warm days predicted for the holiday weekend, people may include water in their recreation plans. Here are some tips for making sure everyone stays safe.

• Wear a life jacket.

• Monitor your alcohol intake.

• Be responsible for your boat and the people you bring onboard. There should be a personal flotation device on the vessel for each person, sized accordingly.

• Remember that the water can be piercingly cold and can incapacitate swimmers.

• Watch your footing when wading in the water. The bottoms of the Sacramento and the American rivers are uneven.

• Know what you're getting into. Never swim in an area that does not have a lifeguard. Check with local officials to see how currents are flowing. Learn how to spot dangerous currents.

• Know when you've had too much. Don't get too cold or too far from safety, get too much sun, or do too much strenuous activity while in and around the water.

• At pool gatherings, designate an adult to watch the children swim or play in the water. Never leave a child unattended in a pool, even for a moment.

• Be equipped before entering the water. Keep basic lifesaving equipment by residential pools and know how to use it.

• Learn first aid and CPR skills. Insist that baby sitters, grandparents and others who care for your children learn first aid and CPR. Keep CPR instructions in plain sight.

LIFE JACKETS

Here are some locations where you can get a life jacket on brief loan.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District stations:

• 7950 California Ave.

• 7210 Murieta Drive.

• 10595 Folsom Blvd.

• 12395 Folsom Blvd.

• 11201 Coloma Rd.

• 1432 Eastern Ave.

Sacramento Fire Department stations:

• 731 Broadway

• 5990 H St.

• 785 Florin Road

• 1591 Newborough Drive

• 3301 Julliard Drive

Folsom Fire Department station:

• 535 Glenn Drive Source: Bee research

BOATING SAFETY TIPS

The Independence Day weekend will encourage an increase of vessel traffic on the water. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds boaters to exercise safe boating practices.

Each boat should have:

• A personal flotation device on the vessel for each person, sized accordingly. Children under the age of 13 are required by law to wear a lifejacket.

• Immersion suits or other full-body protection, as water temperatures will be cold, and hypothermia can quickly overtake the average person.

• Flares and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon with 406 MHz capabilities.

• An operational marine VHF radio to contact the Coast Guard on channel 16, in the event an emergency. Due to the high mountainous areas throughout the region, boaters should not rely on their cell phones as a means of communication.

• A GPS unit or, at a minimum, someone with knowledge of local waters who is aware of the location at all times.

All boaters should:

• File a float plan with a friend or family member on land, with an approximate time of return and location to which you will be heading.

• Check in regularly with those who are aware of your plan, especially if plans change.

• Check current and forecasted weather conditions before getting under way, and remain aware of changing conditions once on the water. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather conditions throughout the day on VHF channel WX2. The Coast Guard broadcasts weather conditions on VHF channel 22A at 9:30 a.m., noon, and 4:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service has current weather information and advisories at www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/ zone/west/mtrmz.htm

• Never operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol. It is against the law. Consumption of alcohol by anyone else aboard is also strongly discouraged.

• Before taking to the water, go to http://uscgboating.org for more complete information on safe boating.

• Get a free vessel-safety inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. For information, go to www.vesselsafetycheck.org

Source: U.S. Coast Guard