With Boat & RV Accessories and careful attention to boat safety, you and your passengers can have a happy, safe summer full of adventure.
Boat safety is no joke, no matter the time of year. The summer gets all the attention, because boating and summer months go together like hamburgers and French fries. But boat owners love to get on the water whenever the weather allows, whether it's a quick fishing trip during chilly months or enjoying Memorial Day or Labor Day, the holidays that bookend summer.
So really, the only summer-specific safety advice we have is this:
- Wear sunscreen. Some boats have no options for shade. Because water tends to reflect back a lot of sunlight, your chances of getting sunburned increase while on the water.
- Stay hydrated. When the weather gets hot, your body works harder to stay cooler. A dip in the lake or ocean may cool you off temporarily, but you'll want to quench your thirst - we don't advise drinking anything you'd swim in.
Basic boating safety
Summer is no excuse to give up on standard boating safety. The National Safety Council recommends the following:
- Life jackets. Laws vary from state to state, but on your boat, you should lay down the law and require them to be worn - ESPECIALLY children. Even good swimmers need them in case of an emergency. The Coast Guard reported that in 2021 81% of boating deaths were from drowning, and 83% of those victims were not wearing life jackets.
- Don't drink and boat. If you are the pilot, pass on the alcoholic beverages. Just like driving a car, you need your wits about you on the water.
- Check your equipment for proper function. A pre-departure checklist is a good idea to ensure you have all the safety supplies and equipment you need.
- Follow the rules of the "road." A lake or ocean may not have lanes, but that doesn't mean there aren't rules. A boating safety course will teach you the proper ways of navigating across the water. That safety course should also help you familiarize yourself with your state's boating laws.
- Keep an eye on the weather. It doesn't matter if you are sailing the oceans along the coasts or boating across a beautiful Midwestern lake - weather can turn quickly. If you have smartphone reception issues, make a weather radio part of your gear. And always stay on your toes. Look for clouds, or note changes in temperature.
Supplies, accessories
Maintenance and repair goes a long way toward increasing your boating safety. At Boat & RV Accessories we carry a large line of components, accessories and replacement parts that help you get the most out of your boat. For more than a decade we have built partnerships with the best brands in the business so we can keep you stocked up for less. That way, you have more money for your next summer boating adventure.
We hope you have a wonderful summer and make incredible memories with your family and friends across the waves.