Sims Park & the Cotee River: Water Safety and Park Accident Awareness in New Port Richey

July 2, 2025 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury

Florida summers offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation with the family. Whether you want to catch a movie night at Sims Park or take your boat out along the Cotee River, you don’t have to go far to find an activity both adults and kids will love.

You might not think of visiting a community park or going out on the water as dangerous. However, it’s much easier to get hurt in these places than it seems. This summer, keep your family safe by staying vigilant about the potential risks.

Slip and Trip Hazards

When most people think of slip and fall accidents, they imagine the classic scenario of someone slipping on an unmarked wet floor. However, docks and outdoor walkways have their share of slip and fall hazards, too.

For instance:

Wet or oily docks may make it easier to slip
Rotted wood makes it possible to fall through docks or stairs
Uneven walkways can cause pedestrians to trip and fall
Exposed nails may cause deep cuts or puncture wounds
Tools, equipment, or other scattered items pose tripping hazards

Be especially wary if you’re on a dock or walkway at dusk or in other low-light conditions. When you can’t see the danger in front of you, it’s much easier to suffer an injury.

Drowning

For many, swimming in the river is one of the best parts of summer. Most visitors to the Cotee River can take a dip without incident, but drowning and near-drowning incidents are always a possibility.

Follow these tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

Always supervise children near water
Never swim alone
Only swim in designated areas
Don’t use alcohol or drugs before going into the water
Learn to swim (and teach your children)
Wear life jackets when kayaking or canoeing

Keep in mind that some parts of the river may have hidden, potentially lethal currents. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution.

Boating Accidents

Few states offer as many opportunities to get out on the water as Florida does. Unfortunately, the Sunshine State also leads the nation in boating accidents and fatalities.

Before you take your boat out on the river, familiarize (or reacquaint) yourself with some boating safety basics, such as:

Check your boat to make sure it’s in good working order before heading out
Understand the local right-of-way rules
Have a properly fitted life jacket for each person on board
Get off the water if you notice storm clouds or other signs of bad weather

If you aren’t already an experienced boater, taking a safety course may also help you reduce your risk of getting into boating accidents.

Playground Incidents

Most playground equipment is regularly inspected and repaired as needed. However, there’s always a chance that your child could be injured by a problem that hasn’t been discovered yet. Before letting your kids play, check for signs of damage or other potential risks.

Children should also understand how to play safely:

Always slide feet-first
Don’t jump from swings or elevated surfaces
Don’t run in front of swings
Don’t push, pull, or hit one another
Don’t climb on guardrails

Most importantly, always supervise your kids while they’re on the playground. You might just prevent a serious injury from happening.

Contact a New Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

Injuries can happen no matter how careful you are, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid New Port Richey’s many enjoyable rivers and parks. When you understand what hazards to watch out for, you’ll be ready for a safe and memorable summer.

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in New Port Richey today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196