There’s a way to help out first responders from wasting their time and resources before going out in a kayak or canoe this summer.

In the past few years, the Quaker Springs Fire Department has responded to multiple rescue calls where no one was ever in danger. Many people leave their kayak or canoe unmarked and simply tied to a dock at the end of the day. But doing so comes at a risk.

“Accidents happen. The water rises. Storms come through and they do knock them loose from time to time,” Quaker Springs Lt. Jacob Dooley said.

Dooley said it’s common and has become a problem for first responders. Often, when people see a kayak or a canoe floating in the water, they think the worst and call 911.

“That automatically activates us and three other departments that are on the Saratoga Lake district,” Dooley said.

The responders bring in their boats, dive team and helicopters.

“Just resources on resources that are being dumped out of the county and taken away from other emergencies,” Dooley said.

Dooley said his team once spent 24 hours looking for someone who was never lost. So to help first responders save money, time and resources this summer, considering tagging your kayak or canoe.

“It’s as simple as looking it up, finding the owner, and making a phone call,” Dooley said. “Making sure everything’s alright or if something’s not alright, then we can go that route.”

Tagging a kayak or canoe is as easy as having your name and number visible.