4th Of July Boating Safety Tips From The Coast Guard
CHICAGO (CBS)--What better way to spend the 4th of July in the midwest than in a boat?
A day on the lake is much more enjoyable without a visit from the Coast Guard, but last weekend the agency responded to more than 90 calls from boaters in Lake Michigan and other nearby lakes, according to a news release.
The U.S. Coast Guard is reminding boaters to stay safe this holiday weekend with these tips:
- Wear a life jacket at all times while on a boat. Putting a life jacket on in the water is much more difficult.
- Get a free vessel safety check to ensure your boat and all emergency equipment onboard is in working order.
- Be familiar with the area where you're boating. Operator inattention is one of the leading causes of boating accidents.
- Don't drink and boat.
- Observe safety zones when watching fireworks from the water.
- Only discharge flare guns during an emergency. The Coast Guard urges boaters not to discharge flare guns during fireworks displays.
