Memorial Day Weekend typically marks the beginning of the swimming season for many. May is also National Water Safety Month. Before you begin your plans, please make sure to incorporate a few safeguards such as checking the weather for marine warnings, watches and alerts issued by the National Weather Service (www.weather.gov).
Safety Reminders
Did you know Texas has more square miles of inland water than any other state? Boaters will be venturing out this month after long winter and spring seasons. As they get back into the swing of things, it's a great time to remember boating safety tips (National Safe Boating Week was May 18-24). If you are going boating, make sure your boat has essential and required safety equipment and communications tools.
Below are some good reminders:
- Mandatory boater education is required for anyone 21 years old and older to operate a personal watercraft, sailboat over 14 feet, or motorboat with a motor greater than 15 hp.
- Recreational boating safety is a primary area of responsibility of Texas game wardens. The most common water safety citations are issued are for:
-- Not having enough lifejackets on board the boat.
-- Children younger than 13 not wearing a life jacket
- All children younger than age 13 must wear a life jacket while in a boat less than 26 feet in length that is underway.
Life Jackets
- Nearly 85 percent of boating fatality/drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. A typical boating accident fatality involves:
-- An open motorboat
-- Weekends between the hours of noon and 7 p.m.
-- The victim falling overboard
-- An operator between 26-50 years of age
Responsible Boating
It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. The Coast Guard also enforces a federal law that prohibits boating under the influence. This law pertains to ALL boats, from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.
- In Texas:
-- Game wardens and marine safety enforcement officers enforce the boating while intoxicated law.
-- A person who appears to be impaired and/or has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher while operating a boat can be arrested for BWI.
-- A person arrested for BWI may be jailed for up to 180 days, be fined as much as $2,000, or both. Additionally, the person's driver’s license may be automatically suspended.
-- Alcohol plays a role in 50 percent of all boating accidents, according to BoatUS Foundation.
Pool Safety
Memorial Day weekend also kicks off swimming pool season in most areas, so following some simple steps can save lives:
- Stay close, be alert and watch children in and around the pool
-- Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
-- Teach children basic water safety tips
-- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid traps
-- Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
-- If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
-- Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
- Learn and practice water safety skills
-- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
-- Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and refresh your skills regularly
-- Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency
- Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa
-- Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools
-- Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa
-- If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them
-- For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas
-- Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
-- Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
-- Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
-- Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend water activities safely by incorporating some basic rules. You’ll be glad you did.