Warmer days, and sun-drenched waterways drives recreational boaters out to lakes and rivers in masses. When summer fun mixes with irresponsible partying it can lead to big-time trouble.
May 21-27, 2011 is National Safe Boating Week, a time to make sure that boaters know the rules of safe boating, and adhere to safe practices at all times. The week is broken down by each day focusing on a different aspect of safe boating: for example life jacket use, not boating under the influence, thunderstorm safety, and navigating in fog.
The National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council have partnered up for this week-long event to help advocate for increased boating safety. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, there were 736 boating fatalities in 2009. Of those, 543 of those were caused by drowning, and of those 385 occurred when the person wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Alcohol use is a major contributor to fatal boating accidents.
So if you plan to make it to a lake this summer, be sure to know safe boating practices and wear a life jacket.
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Resources:
www.weather.gov
EmpowHER.com: Drowning Information
Reviewed May 20, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.