Many people will be celebrating the Labor Day holiday with recreational activities and local public safety officials are reminding people to be safe.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer for Dallas County Dustin Eighmy says this holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer which can see an increase in boat traffic on local waterways which Eighmy says puts boat etiquette at a high priority. 

“We want boaters to have fun on our waters, we don’t want it to end in a tragedy of course so remember life jackets only work if they are being worn, life jackets float you don’t. Alcohol and boating don’t mix, that wind, that sun glare and heat can enhance the effects of alcohol which will hinder your ability to make decisions.”

Eighmy tells Raccoon Valley Radio that boaters need to make sure they have life jackets for each rider on board and that you have a fire extinguisher that is ready to go and slow down and watch out for others on the water. Eighmy reminds people that you can consume alcohol on the water but you cannot operate a boat while impaired.

“It’s .08 on water as it is dry land if you are driving your motor vehicle. Also, that operator is in charge of all the passengers on that boat so we just want to make sure that even the passengers aren’t consuming a lot of alcohol putting themselves at risk and others at risk.”

Eighmy says there aren’t safety belts on a boat and in the event of an accident it can be extremely dangerous.