Boating safety the key to July Fourth lake visits

The Fourth of July holiday is the highest boating traffic weekend of the summer. Wearing the correct life jacket or flotation device is just the start of July Fourth boating safety. 

The annual Wear It! boating safety campaign is urging boaters to make sure they have the right life jacket before they hit the water.

“Life jackets are designed for a boater’s recreational water activity -- from inflatable belt-packs for standup paddleboarders to form-fitting vests for PWC riders,“ said Rachel Johnson, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, the lead organization of Wear It!

Life jackets may be inherently buoyant -- using foam or other buoyant materials to stay afloat -- or inflatable -- providing buoyancy when inflated by relying on CO2 cylinders.

“Once you find the right U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for your activity, try it on! A snug fit is a proper fit,“ continued Johnson. “Your life jacket is the most important piece of boating safety gear, so be sure to always Wear It!”

Wear It! offers these tips to keep life jackets in good and serviceable condition. Download the Have the Right Life Jacket infographic.

•Read the label! On the inside of each life jacket is a printed label with important information about that particular life jacket.

•Always use for its intended purpose and refer to the owner’s manual for specific maintenance requirements.

•Choosing the right life jacket also means choosing the right size: remember, life jackets for adults do not work for children.

•Inspect all life jackets periodically for rips, tears and holes, as well as damage to seams, zippers, buckles and straps.

•Look for signs of waterlogging, mildew, and shrinkage or hardening of the materials on inherently buoyant life jackets.

•Check that inflatable life jackets hold air for 16 hours by orally inflating to capacity. Also inspect the inflation mechanism to ensure the cartridge has not discharged, has no corrosion, and is properly installed.

•Dry after use by hanging in a shaded, ventilated area, and hand wash in warm water using a mild laundry detergent if it is dirty.

Besides life jacket and flotation device usage, there are other key tips to remember when hitting the lake on the Fourth of July, or anytime.

Remember to leave the alcohol on shore. Alcohol and water can be a deadly mix any time of the year.

Always keep a fire extinguisher on your boat that is up to date and in proper working condition.

Remember to check your boat for signs of leaks, and make sure all plugs are in proper condition.

Remembering boating safety tips can mean the difference between a fun Fourth of July on the water, and tragic trip that becomes a nightmare.