Every year people flock to our county to visit the waterfalls. It is one of the most wonderful things about Transylvania County in North Carolina. The county boasts over 250 waterfalls and many of these are quite easy to get to and view. It is a great bonus for our county.

It is also a chance for us to educate everyone on waterfall safety. While it is common sense to many on how to enjoy a safe waterfall visit I was reminded this week that not everyone has the experience to understand what is safe to do and what is simply not safe when visiting. I saw a Facebook post that indicated that several “rescues” were made at local Hooker Falls over the weekend due to visitors not understanding how dangerous their actions could be.

Thanks to Explore Brevard there is a short informational video to give a little guidance. In a nutshell, if you are visiting, please follow these safety tips.

OBSERVE all posted signs leading to waterfall areas

STAY on marked trails and observation areas.

DO NOT jump off waterfalls or dive into pools.

DO NOT climb on rocks above waist high.

DO NOT swim or wade upstream near a waterfall.

WATCH for slick rocks around waterfalls.

WATCH your children and pets at all times.

Thanks for reading and for visiting our area. We all want everyone to have a wonderful and SAFE visit.