It’s a message that can’t be shared enough: Wearing a life jacket is critical to keep Ohioans safe while boating. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will kick off National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, by holding five “Ready, Set, Wear It!” life jacket safety awareness events. The events are scheduled to take place at The Marina at Caesar Creek State Park, the North Royalton Fire Department, the West Marine Port Clinton store, Toledo’s Side Cut Metropark and the Field & Stream Polaris store in Columbus.

“For a life jacket to save a life, a person has to be wearing it, plain and simple. Wearing a life jacket is the easiest way to stay alive when things go wrong on the water,” said Mike Miller, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. “If an accident occurs and people suddenly end up overboard, a life jacket will keep their heads above water and could save a life. Don’t just have your life jacket close by. Wear it.”

The seventh annual “Ready, Set, Wear It!” Life Jacket World Record Day will be held on Saturday, May 21. The goal is to educate the public about the importance of wearing life jackets and safe boating for all ages. Each event will also showcase the comfortable and versatile options available in today’s modern life jackets.

Participating cities throughout Ohio and around the globe will gather to attempt to set a world record for the most life jackets worn and inflatable life jackets inflated.

Headlining the series is the “Ready, Set, Wear It!” event hosted by Field & Stream in partnership with the ODNR Division of Watercraft on Saturday, May 21, from noon to 4 p.m., which will include various boating-related activities at the Field & Stream Polaris store. This free family event is open to the public. Participants can ride a personal watercraft simulator, try on the latest styles of life jackets and enter to win a Field & Stream gift card.

More Ohio events can be found at http://www.readysetwearit.com/join-event/usa-events/. Those who would like to host their own “Ready, Set, Wear It!” event can register at ReadySetWearIt.com.

Additional information on life jacket safety is available from the ODNR Division of Watercraft at watercraft.ohiodnr.gov. For more information about the National Safe Boating Council, visit safeboatingcouncil.org.