5 Boating Safety Tips You Need to Follow

With National Safe Boating Week officially here -- it's held annually on May 18 through the 24 -- there's no better time than the present to review some essential boating safety tips. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there are roughly 5,000 injury-causing boating accidents each year in the United States. While some of these accidents are minor, others are more severe or even fatal. By following these five tips, you'll have a safer and more enjoyable boating experience.

#1) Wear a Life Jacket

Always wear a life jacket when riding on a boat. Most boating-related fatalities involve drowning -- something that oftentimes can be avoided by wearing a life jacket. Whether you are boating in saltwater or freshwater, don't leave the shore without a life jacket. This alone can mean the difference between life and death if an accident occurs.

#2) Check the Weather

In addition to wearing a life jacket, you should check the weather when boating. If there's a severe storm heading your way, you should postpone your boating excursion until another day. When it comes to severe weather, it's best to err on the side of caution by staying ashore.

#3) Bring a First Aid Kit

Hopefully, you won't need to use it, but it's a good idea to bring a first aid kit when boating. If either you or someone else aboard the boat is injured, you can use the first aid kit to administer on-the-spot treatment. First aid kits are available for as little as $10 to $20. Alternatively, you can create your own for about the same cost, sometimes even less.

#4) Request a Vessel Safety Check

You can contact the U.S. Coast Guard to perform a vessel safety check of your boat. If there's something wrong with your boat, the U.S. Coast Guard will let you know so that you can fix it. Some people assume the U.S. Coast Guard charges for this service, but this isn't the case. They'll perform a complete vessel safety check of your boat at no charge. All you have to do is request it.

#5) Wear Sunscreen Lotion

It's easy to get sunburned when boating. Ultraviolet (UV) sunlight will reflect off the surface of the water, resulting in increased exposure to sunburn-causing UV light. A quick and easy way to protect against sunburn when boating, however, is to wear sunscreen lotion.