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With summertime in full swing, state officials are reminding residents to use caution as they have fun on and in the water.

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet says despite water quality improvements, any body of water has the potential for human health risks, but using common sense can greatly decrease the risks when boating, fishing, swimming, or canoeing this summer.

The Kentucky Division of Water and the Kentucky Department for Public Health recommend that you avoid ingesting or inhaling water. Avoid allowing open wounds to have direct contact with water, and thoroughly clean hands and other areas that come into contact.

Avoid areas with obvious odors or surface scums, areas below facilities such as wastewater treatment plants and other sources of pollution, avoid getting in water after heavy rainfall, and avoid areas where swimming or harmful algal bloom advisories have been issued. Check the Department of Water’s Advisory Page for the latest advisories.

If you experience symptoms such as gastro-intestinal issues or rash after recreation in natural water sources, contact your doctor or local health department. Visit the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Water Health Portal for more information.

Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman says the Beshear administration’s Pre-K for All Initiative is an investment in the future of Kentuckians.

“Prison populations are projected by third grade literacy rates,” Coleman said. “The number one indicator of third grade literacy rates is kindergarten readiness, and the number one indicator of kindergarten readiness is access to pre-k, so we can invest in our young people on the front end, or we are literally going to pay for it on the back end. I don’t know about you, but I would rather build preschools than prisons in Kentucky.”

Coleman was the keynote speaker at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon Wednesday. 

According to a release from the governor’s office, the Pre-K for All Initiative aims to increase kindergarten readiness for all four-year-olds in Kentucky, eliminate childcare deserts, save Kentucky families on out-of-pocket childcare costs, and grow Kentucky’s labor force, among other goals.

An executive order from Beshear created a Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, which is tasked with collecting feedback on pre-k needs across the state. Coleman encouraged those in attendance to participate.

“It’s going to take all of Team Kentucky to speak up, to act, and to get involved, so as our advisory committee travels the state to hear from Kentuckians, I encourage you to get involved,” Coleman said. “We need the business in the private sector. We need education. We need higher education. We need all of our folks involved as we make this a reality.”

More information on the initiative is available at www.prek4all.ky.gov.