Santa joins Bobber the Water Safety Dog for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers holiday message

Written by Leon Roberts
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District

Nashville, TN – Kris Kringle filed a reindeer flight plan and entered American airspace with an early sleigh ride today to record a holiday safety message with Bobber the Water Safety Dog in Middle Tennessee.

On the shoreline of J. Percy Priest Lake, Santa Claus and “Hap Hazard Elf” joined Bobber the Water Safety Dog to shoot a public service announcement in hopes that people all over the world will make it a priority to be safe at home this Christmas and when recreating at Corps of Engineers recreation areas, hiking trails, and when boating or even walking along the shoreline.

“Whatever you choose to do for fun this holiday season, take it from Safety Santa. Avoid unnecessary risks! Taking chances means you could hurt yourself or others you love,” said Santa during the filming of the PSA.

The Nashville District Safety Office worked with North American Aerospace Defense officials, who track Santa every Christmas at www.noradsanta.org, to set up the opportunity to highlight holiday safety at home and water safety at Corps Lakes. Kids can go to their website on Christmas Eve to track Santa’s worldwide journey.

Santa Claus insists on safe working conditions to protect the elves who make toys at the North Pole. The toy factory at the North Pole is renowned and credited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safety practices that are in place to protect the Elves who make and put goodies in Santa’s sleigh.

Santa acknowledged that he takes safety so seriously that he invites OSHA’s secret Santa inspectors to the North Pole to assure safe and healthful working conditions. He also ensures toys meet all established safety requirements set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov

“We really appreciate Santa, who we like to call ‘Safety Santa,’ making time in his very busy holiday schedule to meet and join with Bobber the Water Safety Dog to spread the word that being careful and not taking unnecessary risks this Christmas is the smart and safe thing to do,” said Don Busbice, Nashville District Safety Office chief.

Busbice noted that Santa recognizes that the Corps of Engineers maintains large areas of public lands across the nation and that he gladly wanted to join Bobber to get the word out that being safe at Corps Lakes should be a priority for visitors. Santa posed with Bobber holding a sign with the hashtag “ILoveThisLifeJacket” in hopes that people will wear life jackets when boating and recreating near the water.

“It’s all about ‘Taking Care of People,’ when they play on Corps Lakes,” Busbice added.

The Corps of Engineers is the foremost federal provider of outdoor recreation facilities. It operates 402 lakes in 43 states, 91,000 camping sites, 33,000 picnic sites, 2,900 hiking trails spanning 9,500 miles, and 3,486 boat ramps.

With more than 250 million visitors a year, the Corps of Engineers works diligently with water safety partners like Santa to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities through its “Life Jackets Worn, Nobody Mourns” campaign at www.pleasewearit.com

Bobber the Water Safety Dog also has an online clubhouse for kids at www.bobber.info