Boater Safety Tips from Your Erie Accident Lawyers

If you are looking for an Erie Personal Injury lawyer, call 814-273-2010 / toll free 814-273-2010 to get a free consult with a Purchase, George and Murphey, P.C. Attorney.

Boating in Erie is a great way to enjoy Lake Erie in the summer and a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Because we want you to be able to enjoy boating for a long time to come, your Erie Accident Lawyers have put together a list of ways to ensure that you and your family stay safe while boating.

Have an itinerary. When you leave the dock behind, make sure that you have a specific plan for the day. Make a list of where you are going and at what time you plan to return. Give this list to a friend or family member who is not going with you. This will ensure that someone will know if you run into a problem and are not able to return.
Run your blower. It is absolutely imperative that you run your blower before you start the engine on the boat so that the fumes from the boat do not explode. This is the reason for most boat fires.
Wear your life jacket. Especially with children under 12, make sure that they have their life jackets on at all times. Even if children know how to swim, their bodies may not be strong enough to hold them above water for an extended period of time if they were to be thrown out of the boat or if the boat were to capsize.
Be mindful of the conditions. Check wave height and chances of storms. It’s also good to keep a radio on board so that you can stay informed of the weather as it changes. If your are ever doubtful of the conditions, it is best to play it safe and wait until a better day.
Make an equipment checklist to make sure that you have everything you need. Especially emergency equipment such as flares and life jackets.
Be reasonable with your speed. Boats do not have breaks and because of this, driving at a safe speed is even more important on a boat.
Obey no-wake zones. While it might seem inconvenient to have to go at a creeping pace in these zones, traveling faster is dangerous for you and for those around you. Traffic is typically more dense and there may be swimmers in the area.
Stay away from alcohol on the water. Because of the sun and wind, it is easy to become dehydrated while on a boat. This causes alcohol to have a much more intense effect than it may have normally, which makes drowning accidents much more likely.
Sign children up for swimming lessons. Being able to swim can make the whole experience more fun and relaxing for a child. This should never excuse children from wearing a life jacket, but it will give them an extra layer of safety while they are on the boat. Some places that offer swimming lessons in Erie are:
1. YMCA of Greater Erie
2. Pennbriar Athletic Club
Take a boater’s safety course. This is critical, especially if you will be driving the boat. This will keep you up to date and well informed of any regulations.

If you are looking for an Erie Personal Injury lawyer, call 814-273-2010 / toll free 814-273-2010
to get a free, no-strings attached consult with a Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. attorney.