Last week I wrote about being safe on the road, keeping an eye out for others and not driving too fast.

This week I would like to remind everyone to be safe in and on the water, now that the boating season is underway.

We used to wear life jackets, now called personal flotation devices or PFDs, when we didn't know how to swim as kids. Even if you do know how to swim, it's still a good idea to wear a PFD on boating trips, especially this time of year when the lake, river and ocean waters are not calm. A couple of recent drownings on Maine freshwater rivers should remind us all to be ready before accidents occur.

Our local Coast Guard, area lobstermen and recreational boaters have been saving people who have fallen into area waters for years, but sometimes circumstances — such as falling out of a boat late at night or you've got no means of communication — might mean a loss of life.

We are also lucky to have our Coast Guard Auxiliary, which holds several classes and boat inspection sessions to make sure boaters are prepared for accidents and have the knowledge about safe boating.

So, go ahead and enjoy your summer — but be safe around water.