I'm from out of state; no snakes or gators. Can you tell me about the safety issues for tubes/kick boats? I understand wind and large lakes. I'll be around Palestine/Athens and later LOP/Fork/Bob Sandlin.

FT Safety depends on the physical fitness and skills/ knowledge/ maintainence of the user, and conditions under which they will be used. They are at least as safe as any other watercraft, probably much safer- so long as they are used according to their common sense limitations. FT can do some things no other watercraft can do, and go places where other non inflatable watercraft can't go. Someone without experience might not consider situations where they can be flipped, hit by a motorboat, are too isolated or too far out to survive hypothermia, might get entangled in their fishing gear, etc.- But that is also true for other watercraft. After a quick check, death and injury stats are much higher for even casual use of powerboats, kayaks, swimming, etc compared to FT, and much lower due to alligators and snakes, probably because most people are reasonably afraid to push FT limitations.

Only poisonous snakes that someone doesn't see are unsafe when stepped on, but all the ones I have encountered in 50 years saw me first and were in the process of speeding or swimming away, if not blocked off. Large starving alligators accustomed to people have attacked people and pets on foot, plus maybe a few kayakers, small alligators are more likely to flee- would be my guess. Neither case is likely to be an aggressive stalking posture, under normal circumstances.

There are a couple of coves on Lake Fork that have big gators that I would avoid. I don't believe they are near boats ramps. You can post on the Bass Fishing section about Gators on Lake Fork and they will tell you where they are located.
Snakes can be curious swimming on top of the water but I have always been able to scare them away if they get too close by slapping the water with a fishing pole.
My biggest concern is Jet Skis and Wake Boarders. They are not paying attention to where they are going or anything in front of them. Avoid areas where they congregate. Also avoid boat lanes in low light conditions as the bass boats are running at speed relying on GPS.

i dont float where there are gators

When float Tubing plz Be careful of the snake that floats ! He`s the one that`ll send you to the Hospital.

I fish Athens all the time in a float tube. You won't have any issues there.

Keep a close eye on the weather. A sudden change in wind direction can send you on a cruise across the lake. I know a guy this actually happened to.