Wear a life jacket while boating

"Ready, Set, Wear It!"

That's the theme for National Safe Boating Week.

Kootenai County has many resources to accommodate a variety of recreational boaters, according to a press release.

"However, local waterways can become crowded at times and be places of chaos and confusion, the release said. "While being a marvelous form of recreation, boating can be a risky sport to the unprepared."

One behavior that can reduce the number of drowning deaths among boaters by 90 percent is to wear a life jacket.

"It is a simple task that has the potential to reduce terrible losses in lives," the release said.

All life jackets, especially inflatables, require periodic inspection, maintenance and testing to ensure they will function properly if needed.