As we’re moving full steam ahead into summer, we see more and more folks getting their boats out of storage and getting out on the water. There are more than 13 million registered recreational boats in the entire U.S., which shows just how much we Americans enjoy our water activities.

Boating can be dangerous and it can be destructive. Somewhere around $50 million in property damage occurs each year in boat insurance claims. Boating fatalities tend to hover around 700 per year, and injuries beyond basic first aid get near 5,000.

Here, then, are the top 10 things you can do to make sure your summer water sports are fun and safe, and you won’t have to worry about filing a boat insurance claim:

1. Don’t drink and boat. Just don’t do it. Almost a quarter of boating fatalities can cite alcohol as a factor.
2. Know boating safety. If you haven’t taken a boating safety course or if it’s been a few years, it’s time to do so now. The U.S. Coast Guard is a great resource for boating safety courses.
3. Know and follow navigational rules. You don’t disregard traffic laws, so don’t disregard laws and practices when it comes to boating traffic and navigation.
4. Be aware of the weather. Check the forecast. Know if it’s going to be bad out, and be prepared for it.
5. Wear a life jacket and make sure everyone else does. The vast majority of boating fatalities occurred from drowning. Of those that drown, nine out of ten don’t have life jackets on.
6. Set a safety tone. Let your crew and passengers know that safety is important, and lead by example.
7. Be circumspect. Know what’s around you at all times, in terms of things like other boats, floating hazards, shoals and rocks.
8. Get a safety check. The U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other organizations, can perform a safety check of your boat before you take it out for the season.
9. Use a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and it can kill in minutes. Your boat engine emits carbon monoxide, so make sure you have a detector in the cabin.
10. File a float plan. Make sure someone knows where you’ll be and when you’ll be back. The quicker rescue personnel know you’re gone, and the better idea they have of where you were going, the more likely they are to find you before things take a turn for the worse.

Photo via g-hat