As the weather starts to warm up, we’re all anxious to get outside and enjoy the
sunshine. Families and friends gather together to enjoy the outdoors, travel on
vacation and spend time on the water – boating, fishing, sailing, and more. It’s
important to remember the safety precautions to take during all of these
recreational water activities.
But, with approximately 500 people
drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, it is imperative to push
the message of “Wear It!”: wear your life jacket at all times while you are on
the water.
Throughout the boating season, the National Safe Boating Council is working with
their partner organizations to encourage safe and responsible boating, including
the practice of always wearing a life jacket, and being alert and aware while on
the water.
“Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and
put on a stowed life jacket,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the
National Safe Boating Council. “It’s important that everyone wears a life jacket
while on the water. There’s no reason why you, your family and friends, can’t
have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life
jacket.”
Here are a few boating safety tips to keep in mind this boating
season:
1. No matter what activity you have planned – boating, fishing
sailing, etc. – always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the
water.
2. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and
properly fits. Double check that your life jacket is appropriate for your
favorite boating activities.
3. Life jackets meant for adults do not work
for children. If you are boating with children, make sure they are wearing
properly fitted, child-sized life jackets. Do not buy a life jacket for your
child to “grow into.”
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was
the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities
in 2010, and that 88 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
That’s why boating safety advocates continue to push for increased and
consistent life jacket wear on the water.
“A life jacket can’t save your
life unless you “Wear It!,” continued Chambers. “With today’s variety of
comfortable, stylish life jackets, there’s a life jacket for everyone – even our
four-legged friends! No matter the water activity or life jacket style chosen -
and always remember to ‘Wear It!’”