The extended Independence Day weekend is the most popular time to be boating.

It's also the most dangerous time statistically to be out on the water.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water recommends the following tips to combat the special dangers of Fourth of July weekend boating:

• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases alcohol's effects on the body. While it's safer for boat passengers to wait until they're back at the dock or home before breaking out the bottle, it's vital for boat pilots to avoid drinking while behind the wheel, rudder, sail or paddle.

• Most swamping accidents occur on small bodies of water within sight of land. Check the weather reports to avoid storms, keep a VHF radio on board, and beware the wakes of irresponsible boaters.

• Everybody wants a ride on the water this holiday weekend. It's important to have the right-sized life jacket aboard for visiting children (some marina's will rent child-sized life vests). Resist the urge to invite more guests than your boat was designed to carry. Overloaded small craft and those with elevated decks, such as bass boats, are more susceptible to swamping from weather or wake action associated with heavy, holiday boating traffic. Nearly three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 87 percent were not wearing a life jacket.

• Independence Day weekend is the only time many fair-weather boaters navigate in the dark. Running lights aren't enough to prevent collisions, which are the most reported type of boating accident. Go slow, post an extra lookout, and be extra vigilant about not running over anchor lines or nighttime swimmers.

• Don't run your engine when swimmers are nearby, even if the transmission is in neutral and the props are not engaged. The danger isn't only from spinning propellers. Exhaust ports belch odorless, colorless carbon monoxide gas, which can quickly overcome swimmers in nearby water.