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The most important part about responsible boating is to always practice good boating safety.  The United States Coast Guard says that almost all boating accidents could have been prevented if the captain of the ship had taken a boating safety course prior to getting on the water.  Boating safety is tantamount to responsible boating and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

There’s no way we can cover all aspects of boating safety in this short article.  What we can do, however, is to give you some basics to go from in your quest to become a responsible boater.  There’s nothing that can replace a good, certified boating safety course taught by a qualified individual, but everyone has to start somewhere!

* Always know the safest distance to keep away from other boats.  If someone is going slower than you are and you want to pass them, know how to do so safely and with the proper signaling.  Boats don’t have turn signals, but you should know how to alert the other boater you will be passing them.

* When you are putting your boat in the water, be sure you know how to do this quickly as well as safely.  Boating safety has to be present even before you get your vessel on the water.  Knowing how to do this the right way can make the difference between friendly and unfriendly boating.

* If alcohol is part of your boating trip, be sure you are very conscious of what alcohol can do to your body when you are operating a fast-moving vehicle on top of a body of water.  Alcohol use by the captain should occur in moderation above everything else.  Most of the boating accidents that occur today can be directly attributed to alcohol as a contributing factor.  Be smart when it comes to alcohol consumption on the water.

* Make sure that all people on board your boat have access to a life vest.  Never let a child be in your boat without wearing a life vest at all times.  The number one cause of death on the water is due to drowning.  That is caused by people falling overboard without a life vest.  This is the number one boating safety rule stressed by all instructors.

* Boating safety depends on everyone following general rules of etiquette when you are out on the water.  While you can’t control what the other boaters do, you sure can control what you do.  Always be polite on the water and know that you are doing your part to keep the waters safe.

Like we said previously, every boater should really take a certified boating safety course.  Besides making it easier for you to get your boating license, you will be a much better boater after you take a boating safety course.

Kids love to hear all kinds of stories. But one story they probably would want to hear over and over again is the story of their birth. This is why, many would prefer creating a baby scrapbook to tell in a more tangible way how they come out in this world. But it does not mean that baby scrapbook is limited to the “how” of giving birth. Even the minor details are important to create a more wonderful baby scrapbook your kid would enjoy and would be proud of as they grow up. And since baby scrapbook is somewhat a kid’s bibliography, your kids will appreciate how much they mean to you.

If you are planning to make scrapbook for your baby to come, then here are the things you should consider so that you wont limit yourself from creating a statistical baby scrapbook (baby scrapbook that only tells the time, weight and size of the baby).

To create a baby scrapbook, you should define your starting point. It could be the baby shower or the day of his birth. You should also set when to end the scrapbook. Usually, baby scrapbook would cover the child’s first year but you can always go longer if you want to. In the process, you should collect things that can be included on the scrapbook like the gifts you receive on the baby shower. Some would even include the baby’s first haircut and other events that the child has experienced for the first time.

Choose a color that would define the theme of the scrapbook. The usual color of a baby boy’s scrapbook is powder blue while the baby girl’s scrapbook is pink. You may or may not adapt these colors and use another.

Now you ask: “What should I include on the scrapbook?”

Most baby scrapbook would include the details about the baby upon birth. These are, the length at birth, weight at birth, time of birth, the length of labor, the color of the eyes and hair, and doctor’s name and the names of the staff who assisted the doctor in giving birth. Plus of course, the pictures of you and your child at the hospital after you gave birth.

Some would include pictures of you while you are still pregnant. Moments such as this will keep your child reminded how you, as a mother took care of him while he was still in your womb.

Other moments you should include are the photos of the baby’s growth month by month with a size reference (usually a stuffed toy), photos of the house you live in and the nursery, photos of the family members including the baby, photos of the baby sleeping, photos taken while the baby is bathing, photos with his favorite toys, and other happy moments that include him.

As was mentioned above, many baby scrapbooks would include the baby’s firsts. These are the baby’s first smile, first bath first crawl, first roll over, first sat up, first steps, and so forth. The baby scrapbook can include his or her favorites like the favorite song, toys, bedtime stories, and the family tree.

The nice thing about this is that you can always add anything that is related to your baby as he is growing up.

You can write about the meaning and significance of the name, your length of stay at the hospital, other people who were present at the hospital, their reaction after you gave birth, their feelings after they carried your baby, and the way they entertain the baby. You can also write about stories that would further illustrate those events that are captured in photos. Stories like the baby’s first outings, babysitting, and mannerisms (did he or she often suck his  thumb… and things like these).

You have the photos, the things to write about and the scrapbook to put it together; what else?

Well, creating baby scrapbook is really a personal thing so it is up to you what other things you want to add for as long as your child will know how he grew up.