Its summertime! Lots of folks are heading to the lakes, rivers, and the beach for fun on the water.

Boating is a great way to have fun and spend time with your children or grandchildren. Its important to establish some boating safety rules and procedures that will help reduce the chance of trouble or injury during your excursion.

Also, if youngsters are joining you, there are a few features to consider for your boat:

Also, the U.S. Coast Guard warns about a condition called boaters fatigue, which means that the wind, noise, heat, and vibration of the boat all combine to wear you down when youre on the water.

Finally, stay aware anytime you are even near the water, especially with children. Its amazing how fast a child can get away from you and get themselves into a dangerous situation. When preparing this column, I was told of a family that lost their child due to it falling between the dock and the boat and getting caught under the boat. Dont let a fun outing turn into a tragedy. Be prepared, stay vigilant, but by all means, enjoy yourself, your family, and your boat.

Summer is here, have a great time with family and friends. Stay safe and stay healthy, my friends.

Jody Holton writes about health in The Port Arthur News. She can be reached at jholton3@gt.rr.com.

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HEALTHY LIVING Ahoy! Summer fun boating on the water - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News