Here are some ideas from our visitors and staff members to help make sure that everyone has a safe and fun time:

• Never let kids out of your sight while they are swimming...even for a few seconds no matter how accomplished they are at swimming. Thanks Mike & Chris T., Kentucky
• Make sure that kids always practice the "buddy system". That means being responsible for their playmate and not letting them out of their site.
• Enforce the "no running" rule onboard the houseboat. Chase type games and other shenanigans can lead to problems for everyone. A "time-out" or other suitable punishment can be a great reinforcement of the rules.
• Make sure to put a good sunscreen on everyone and reapply it frequently. A bad sunburn can be a real problem while onboard and can make the unsuspecting victim miserable especially if it happens during the first few days of the vacation.
• Make sure you have a well stocked first aid kit and that everyone knows where it is.
• Some insects can inflict a particularly nasty sting or bite and you should be prepared with the proper treatments. Horse flies can be very nasty at certain times of the year in certain places.
• Encourage the kids to go ashore and explore. Inexpensive and portable walkie talkies can be purchased at your local electronics or discount store for less than $25.00 each. They are a great way to keep everyone connected on the same frequency so to speak.
• With kids and shore excursions, make sure that they know not to touch any plant or animal that is unfamiliar to them. Kids have a wonderful, natural fascination with nature which can sometimes take them into harms way.
• Do you have a safety suggestion to share with us? If so, please send it to: [email protected] .
• Make sure there are fire extinguishers onboard, they are properly certified and that everyone knows where they are and how to operate them in case they are needed. Do not leave the dock or accept your rental houseboat without proper fire extinguishers onboard.
• Make sure you know how many life preservers or PFD's are onboard, where they are located and that everyone else knows where they are too. Sometimes it is a good suggestion to get children used to wearing them right from the start and make their usage mandatory (in fact, a recent change in law makes PFD usage mandatory for children 10 or under in most areas). Later, as your comfort level increases and they have demonstrated good, safe behavior, you can use your discretion (if local laws allow) as to their usage. Don't have them buried where they are too hard to get to in case of an emergency either.
• Consuming excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages can be deadly anywhere but particularly while on the water. Try to avoid or at least moderate the alcohol consumption by your guests, yourself and your family. Houseboating is so relaxing that many people learn that they don't even have to drink to become really relaxed and have a great time. Thanks Tom G., Mississippi
• No matter what the circumstances, always make sure there is a capable adult, familiar with the operation of the houseboat, who refrains from drinking any alcoholic beverages at all. They will serve as the designated driver should the need arise.
• The design of some boats can tend to trap generator fumes near the swim platform while running for long periods, under the right conditions. These fumes can contain deadly carbon monoxide. This is an odorless and colorless gas that displaces the normal oxygen in an area and leads to sleepiness and eventual suffocation during prolonged exposure. Try not to use the generator while anchored and with swimmers in the water. In addition, warn swimmers about hanging around (and particularly, under) the swim platform. This can be a tough rule to enforce as the swim platform by its very nature is a point of congregation and playing. Remember, the best bet is to minimize generator use while swimmers are in the water.
• When you have the engine(s) running, make sure that everyone is present and accounted for. You don't want to leave anyone behind in the confusion or have someone someplace they shouldn't be.
• The captain of the boat should always know the rules of navigation on the water and have charts for everywhere you plan to explore.
• Try do do all of your navigation during daylight at a relaxed pace. Avoid nighttime piloting or driving in a storm if at all possible. Hurrying to get somewhere often defeats one of the main purposes of the vacation anyway...relaxation. Thanks Wendy K., Kentucky
• Keep an eye on the weather. Houseboats can be very safe in storms, but it is just common sense that if a storm is approaching you should seek a sheltered mooring for your vessel.
• Always run the bilge blowers and preferably make an actual visual inspection of the engine compartment before you start any inboard or inboard/outboard powered boat. Use your senses to check for any unusual liquids in the bilge area or gasoline/diesel fuel smells.
• Check your mooring before retiring to bed for the night. Make sure you display the proper lighting if you are at anchorage so that you are visible to other vessels.
• Before you go to bed, make sure that you have a secure anchor hold and are not dragging the bottom at all. Your hand on the line will usually enable you to feel any movement down under the water of your ground tackle. If you are uncertain, don't be afraid to crank up the engine and engage some reverse thrust to check the anchor's hold. If the hold is unstable, she will probably break free and then you can reset her. If she holds, you can rest a little easier that the anchor seems to have "a good purchase" in this direction. Remember that when you are asleep, the wind can shift and actually blow from 180 degrees in another direction breaking your anchor free. The Boy Scout motto seems to work well here: "be prepared".

Reminder: Be sure to share your vacation experience with us by taking our vacation survey. We would love to learn about your houseboat vacation firsthand!

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