Summer is just around the corner and with summer comes time to go boating and while you can't be one hundred percent assured that you will be safe the next time you go boating, I do hope that the following boat safety rules will help you.

1. Do not drink while boating. Drinking while boating is very dangerous, especially if you are the one that is going to be operating the motor or in control of the boat. Drinking while boating causes a lot of boating accidents and is against the law.

2. Always have enough life-jackets for everyone on board. The life-jackets should not just be sitting on the floor of the boat or tucked away somewhere. Each person on the boat should be wearing their life-jackets. Also, make sure that each person has their life-jackets on them properly. Just having your arms through the life-jacket is not going to help you if you did happen to go over-board. The life-jacket needs to be zipped up and done up properly.

3. Pay attention to the weather. Weather patterns can change at the drop of a hat. It is always a good idea to be prepared for weather of any kind when you are boating. If you know that the weather might be bad in a short while, my advice is do not go out in the boat at all. Weather causes a lot of boating accidents, especially if boaters are caught out in an unexpected storm.

4. Always have the proper safety equipment with you in the boat. Each boat should have a first-aid kit for emergencies. They should also have a flare or at least a flashlight that has working batteries. Boats should have a bucket that you can bail water out with if you need to. Each boat should have a fire extinguisher in case a fire breaks out. An anchor of some sort and a heavy line that you can tie the boat to an object if you need to.

5. Be careful out on the water and avoid collisions with other boaters at all costs. Boating collisions are very deadly. It is a good idea to avoid them at all costs. Watching out all sides of the boat is one way of preventing this from happening and keeping your boat at a proper speed. Speeding in a boat is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. 

Boating can be a very fun and entertaining way to spend a hot summer day. However, just remember that you need to be safe to be able to enjoy it.