Now that we’ve officially entered the month of May, we can sense the excitement building for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, which tends to kick off the summer festivities here in the Harbor Country towns of Sawyer, Harbert, Lakeside, Union Pier, New Buffalo, Grand Beach, Michiana and Three Oaks!
Here at Shoreline Property Advisors, our team of Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents and advisors thrive on this time of year when activity picks up for vacation rentals and those interested in buying a vacation home on our beautiful Lake Michigan shores. It’s a fun time of year as the warm weather season offers many the chance to create lasting memories.
Yet, we also know the importance of enjoying the summer season with a sense of safety in mind! As you prepare for swimming, boating, skiing and other fun water activites; there are some vital safety tips you’ll want to be sure to keep in mind and go over with family and friends now and throughout the season. Take a look!
Basic Safety
• Always wear sunscreen!
• Make sure everyone in your boat can swim, and if not, that floating devices are used and there is someone watching that person at all times.
• Never swim alone! Even the most experienced swimmers can experience fatigue, or an injury that will make it hard to swim
• Always watch children who are anywhere near water! The most accidents happen when children are wading in shallow water, so always make sure they’re supervised!
• Be sure to swim only in designated swimming areas.
• Look before you leap! Never dive into water unless you know that it’s deep enough to do so. Always keep your hands above your head when diving to ensure safety.
• Never mix swimming or boating with alcohol.
• Make sure everyone in your boat can swim, and if not, that floating devices are used and there is someone watching that person at all times.
• Never swim alone! Even the most experienced swimmers can experience fatigue, or an injury that will make it hard to swim
• Always watch children who are anywhere near water! The most accidents happen when children are wading in shallow water, so always make sure they’re supervised!
• Be sure to swim only in designated swimming areas.
• Look before you leap! Never dive into water unless you know that it’s deep enough to do so. Always keep your hands above your head when diving to ensure safety.
• Never mix swimming or boating with alcohol.
Water Skiing
To make your water skiing fun, safe, sensible and successful, practice these safe driving tips:
To make your water skiing fun, safe, sensible and successful, practice these safe driving tips:
• Check steering and throttle controls for proper operation before towing skier.
• On take-offs, never accelerate until a definite signal is given by skier.
• When under way, keep attention ahead. The observer is to watch the skier.
• Never follow other boats. Always look before turning. Avoid shallow water.
• Promote safety by staying away from other boats, swimmers, fishermen and solid objects.
• Return to fallen skier immediately. Slow to idle as you approach skier, moving in on the driver’s side.
• Shut off engine while skier climbs into or out of boat. Discourage skiers from boarding over transom.
• High speed landings cause injuries. When skiing into shore, reduce speed and parallel the landing area at a safe distance.
• Do not tow non-swimmers or weak swimmers unless they wear an approved and appropriate flotation device.
• On take-offs, never accelerate until a definite signal is given by skier.
• When under way, keep attention ahead. The observer is to watch the skier.
• Never follow other boats. Always look before turning. Avoid shallow water.
• Promote safety by staying away from other boats, swimmers, fishermen and solid objects.
• Return to fallen skier immediately. Slow to idle as you approach skier, moving in on the driver’s side.
• Shut off engine while skier climbs into or out of boat. Discourage skiers from boarding over transom.
• High speed landings cause injuries. When skiing into shore, reduce speed and parallel the landing area at a safe distance.
• Do not tow non-swimmers or weak swimmers unless they wear an approved and appropriate flotation device.
Person Overboard
If someone falls overboard, follow these procedures:
If someone falls overboard, follow these procedures:
• Toss a life-saving device even if the person can swim. A life ring is the preferred device. It can be thrown farther and is easier to hang on to. However, use whatever device is nearest. Time is essential.
• Slow the boat, keeping the person in view. Other persons onboard should act as look outs. At night, direct the best possible lights on the victim.
• Try to approach the person from downwind or into the waves. Always use common sense and good judgment. Consider existing condition and ability of the victim and what other help is available. If someone aboard is capable, have the person put on a life-saving device with a line attached to the boat and enter the water to assist the person.
• Always stop the motor when someone is going over the side, or coming aboard.
• Assist the person in boarding the boat. It is difficult to climb into a boat from the water. The person may be hurt or cold and may require help.
• Slow the boat, keeping the person in view. Other persons onboard should act as look outs. At night, direct the best possible lights on the victim.
• Try to approach the person from downwind or into the waves. Always use common sense and good judgment. Consider existing condition and ability of the victim and what other help is available. If someone aboard is capable, have the person put on a life-saving device with a line attached to the boat and enter the water to assist the person.
• Always stop the motor when someone is going over the side, or coming aboard.
• Assist the person in boarding the boat. It is difficult to climb into a boat from the water. The person may be hurt or cold and may require help.
Passengers
• Wearing a Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) is your only guarantee against drowning.
• Do not overload the boat.
• Avoid horseplay.
• Have PDF’s readily available for everyone.
• In small boats, remain seated.
• Trim boat by placing passengers and gear in balance.
• Do not overload the boat.
• Avoid horseplay.
• Have PDF’s readily available for everyone.
• In small boats, remain seated.
• Trim boat by placing passengers and gear in balance.
Before Leaving…
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Check weather forecasts.
• Ventilate bilges before starting engine.
• Be sure your boat is basically equipped.
• Check weather forecasts.
• Ventilate bilges before starting engine.
• Be sure your boat is basically equipped.
While Underway…
• Know and obey the rules of the road.
• Post a lookout for bathers, fishermen, swimmers, debris.
• Reduce speed in harbors and in confined areas. Avoid excessive speed.
• Make no sharp turns at high speed.
• Watch your wake! You could be responsible for injury or damage caused by it.
• In rough water, stay low in the boat and cross waves at a slight angle.
• Keep red-buoys on your right when traveling upstream.
• Tying up to buoys or anchoring in channels is forbidden.
• Carry sufficient tools for minor repairs.
• Post a lookout for bathers, fishermen, swimmers, debris.
• Reduce speed in harbors and in confined areas. Avoid excessive speed.
• Make no sharp turns at high speed.
• Watch your wake! You could be responsible for injury or damage caused by it.
• In rough water, stay low in the boat and cross waves at a slight angle.
• Keep red-buoys on your right when traveling upstream.
• Tying up to buoys or anchoring in channels is forbidden.
• Carry sufficient tools for minor repairs.
Fueling Tips
• Stop smoking and extinguish all fires.
• Close all vents, doors, hatches.
• Ground the nozzle to tank opening.
• Portable tanks should be filled outside of boat.
• Ventilate engine compartment before starting.
• Close all vents, doors, hatches.
• Ground the nozzle to tank opening.
• Portable tanks should be filled outside of boat.
• Ventilate engine compartment before starting.
Always Have the Following Items in Your Boat:
• Personal flotation device
• Paddle
• Towline
• Emergency radio
• Bailing device
• Whistle or horn
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Flares
• Paddle
• Towline
• Emergency radio
• Bailing device
• Whistle or horn
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Flares
Safety is a priority as we all enjoy the warm weather and water activities here in Harbor Country, and we hope these tips help you prepare for a fun, happy and safe summer!
If you have been considering vacationing in one of Harbor Country’s charming beach towns, but aren’t sure where to begin your home search; let us know! We would be happy to talk with you about your vacation rental or home buying options!
Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff
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