Understand Boating Safety Before You Go Near the Water this Summer
06/28/2012 - INDIANAPOLIS
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Summer is in full steam and millions of people in the United States are enjoying boating, one of America's most popular pastimes. Whether using sailboats, powerboats or personal watercrafts such as jet-skis, the enjoyment of boating also presents dangers. As a result, it's important to protect yourself by understanding and following some basic safety rules.
"Many boating accidents are preventable and knowing the causes of common accidents helps to avoid them," said Allstate Agent Steve Westrick. "Nearly 80 percent of boating accidents involve operator factors such as operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, operator inexperience, no proper lookout and operating at an unsafe speed."
The Allstate Safe Boater Pledge, approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council, recommends that boaters:
- Take a boating education course. Allstate offers discounts (subject to availability and qualifications) to boaters who have successfully completed qualifying boating courses from groups such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadron
- Make wearing life jackets a rule. Most laws require having U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets on board your vessel (for all passengers.)
- Don't mix drinking and boating
- Know the weather and water conditions
- File a float plan; give the information to a friend or relative who can call for help if you do not return as scheduled
- Observe the nautical rules-of-the road including speed limits
- Get a courtesy vessel safety check
- Report emergencies via Ch. 16 on a marine VHF-FM radio
- Do not discharge oil, trash or sewage into the water
- Properly insure the boat and make sure it has sufficient coverage
For more information on boating safety or other safety topics, visit www.allstate.com.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.
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Contact:
Meghan Cass
(248) 994-9394
Meghan.Cass@allstate.com