CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The Coast Guard is reminding the public to prioritize water safety this summer, especially when it comes to boating.

Officials advise to never consume alcohol or drugs while operating a boat, and to always wear life jackets, which is legally mandated for children under 12 in Connecticut.

"The big thing is on the water, running aground, hitting other boats at high speeds, jet skiers in particular, that's where people start getting hurt," Dennis Belanger, a public education instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard said. "They hit each other, they hit other boats, they fall off."

Officials say it is always important to remain alert and aware of your surroundings while on the water.

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