Boating Safety Tips

Understanding the ins and outs of boater safety protects your family. Whether you are a new boater or a seasoned pro, these boating safety tips offer helpful insight for boaters of all stages.

Wear a Life Jacket

Always have your children wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. In Oregon, 90% of the people who drown in boating accidents would have survived had they worn life jackets. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have kids make a "touchdown" signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits a child's chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps may be too loose.

Infant Appropriate Life Jackets

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety, babies should not travel on a boat — including rowboats, kayaks, motorboats, and sailboats — until they are at the appropriate weight to wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD). Here's some more information on how to choose the right life jacket. Hold on to your baby while also wearing your own life jacket. Car seats are not a good option. If the boat were to capsize, the seat would sink instantly.

Keep Little Kids Warm

Infants and young kids are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you are taking a baby on a boat, just take a few extra precautions to keep your baby warm. If your children seem cold or are shivering, wrap them tightly in a dry blanket or towel.

Don't Rely on Swimming Aids

Remember that swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).

Childproof Your Boat and Develop Some Basic Rules

Explain some basic boat rules and have everyone follow them. Children need to understand and follow rules such as keeping their hands and feet inside the boat at all times and not running on a boat.

Learn From the Professionals

Enroll older kids in a boating safety course. Better yet, enroll with them. Get a vessel safety check every year for free from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons. For more information go to www.uscgboating.org and click "get a free safety check."

Use Your Best Judgment

A large portion of boating accidents that occur each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To protect your safety and loved ones around you, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.

We know you have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better. Local hospitals, fire departments and recreation departments offer CPR training.

Make sure there's a working carbon monoxide alarm on any motorboat to alert your family to any buildup of toxic fumes from the engine.

Let your teen operate a boat only in a supervised setting and in adherence to the laws in your area. Laws regarding the operation of a boat or watercraft vary from community to community.

Teach Your Kids the Difference Between Open Water and Pools

Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather. Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming. Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers, because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface.

Actively Supervise Kids In and Around Open Water

Every child is different, so enroll your child in swimming lessons when you feel he or she is ready. Teach children how to tread water, float and stay by the shore. Make sure an adult is present whenever a teen is operating a personal watercraft.

More safety tips can be found at the Oregon Marine Board’s Boating Safety page. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying RV Insurance

The same diligence used in selecting an RV should also be used to evaluate which insurance will best protect your RV and your motorhoming lifestyle. Although individual states mandate the minimum amount of coverage required to register your RV, there are many other coverage features to consider to ensure that your RV is fully protected. With assistance from the agents at Modern Insurance Marketing, Inc, you'll avoid the following mistakes and be on the road sooner than you think!

Mistake #1: Thinking car insurance is sufficient to cover your RV

An RV is not just a big car. Specialized vehicles require specialized insurance. You need coverages that accommodate the kind of personal belongings you keep an RV, discounts that reflect when and where you drive, and services that provide expert RV assistance.

Mistake #2: Shopping for the Lowest Price Available

Don’t underestimate the value of a service-oriented, reliable and specialized RV insurance company when you search for RV insurance coverage. Be sure to compare features and services, not just price.

Mistake #3: Choosing Inadequate Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is what protects you in the event you injure other people or damage property with your vehicle. Choosing lower liability coverage limits may leave you seriously at risk financially, since medical bills and loss wages can quickly exceed low liability limits. Do more than choose state-required minimums – choose the coverage that reflects your personal financial situation.

Mistake #4: Missing Out on Potential Discounts

• Built-in premium savings can offer many ways to reduce your premium. And some of them may surprise you! Just a few discounts that you may qualify for include:
• Insuring your RV and autos on the same policy
• Using our exclusive Storage Option that allows you to suspend coverages you don’t need when you’re not using your RV
• Having anti-theft devices, airbags and other security devices
• Having a safe-driving record

Mistake #5: Neglecting to consider life changes

Life changes like moving, buying a house, getting married, having a new baby, or having a new teen driver in the household can affect your insurance needs and the price you pay for coverage. Even your birthday can change the money picture when it comes to insurance premiums.

You may not think about RV insurance when unpacking at the new house or blowing out the candles on your birthday cake. But the fact is – all of these things potentially affect the coverages you need, and reduced rates may be newly available!

So be sure to keep your policy current – and that means everything from address changes to marital status to sending off your firstborn to college. Generally speaking, these life events – and more – offer opportunities for revisiting your RV insurance coverages and for enjoying more savings! 

Call MIM today and you will be selecting a company with stability and a proven track record. The right coverage means peace of mind and many years of enjoyable motorhoming.

6 Tips for Camping With Rookies

The key to camping with first-timers is to know your audience.  That way you can make the trip as engaging as possible, while mitigating potential fears and discomforts.

Here are six things to consider before you go:

1. Don't "rough it."  Sleeping under the stars can be a beautiful experience, but isn't necessarily for first-timers.  Weather, bugs and other critters can catch them unaware and unprepared.
2. Ease into it.  Consider starting with backyard camping, then progress to developed campgrounds - preferably those with showers and flushing toilets.
3. Alleviate potential fears by sleeping with four walls around you.  It doesn't matter if it's an RV, tent or cabin, for novice campers there is just something secure and comforting about being "inside" when outdoors.
4. Calm the fears.  One reason a first-timer has never camped may be apprehension.  There are two common fears:  wildlife and the dark.  Find ways to ease those concerns.  And remember the flashlights! 
5. Prepare in advance.  Teach family members about insects and wildlife they may encounter.  Better yet, take them to an interpretive center where they will learn even more and may be able to handle some animals.
6. Keep the good times rolling.  Know your family's interests and plan activities accordingly.  Prepare for fun, day and night.  Camp where there are activities everyone enjoys.  Card games and books are good activities for down time.

National Camping Day is June 23rd, and Pacific Northwest campsites fill up fast, so get your spots reserved and have a great time in the outdoors!