COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio’s recreational boaters who take to Lake Erie, the Ohio River and other state waterways during the Labor Day weekend are reminded to keep safety their first priority, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The most important safe boating practices include: avoiding alcohol consumption while boating and always wearing a life jacket. Obeying the rules of the road, keeping a proper lookout and being responsible for the well being of all boat passengers are also important.

“Most boating accidents are preventable because they are the result of carelessness,” said Ken Alvey, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. “We encourage everyone to keep safety first in their minds this holiday weekend.”

Boating activity drops considerably after the Labor Day weekend, but September remains an excellent time to continue boating and fishing, particularly on state park lakes. Fall fishing opportunities increase as air and water temperatures begin to gradually decline.

Additional safe boating tips, information about boating education classes, and boating laws are available online at ohiodnr.com