This is one in a series of article in a series offering tips on boating skills and seamanship prepared for The Citizen by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The weather services and the many meteorologists can now predict the weather with a high degree of accuracy. The weather channel on virtually every VHF radio, provides timely information on approaching fronts. However, sudden thunderstorms and squalls do occur and they can be dangerous.

Thunderstorms can feature winds that can exceed 100 mph and rival the damage caused by a tornado. Flash flooding, the number one cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, killed more than 76 people in 2006.

Tornadoes can produce winds in excess of 250 mph and stay on the ground for 50 miles. Tornadoes caused 67 fatalities and 898 injuries in 2006. The jury is still out on more recent figures. Lightning resulted in 47 fatalities and 246 injuries in 2006. Early warning is the key to implementing risk mitigation strategies related to weather.

Whenever your plans will take you off shore, review the forecast beforehand and keep listening to your weather channel, to obtain information on changing weather or approaching storms. More information can be found at: www.weather. gov/os/hazstats.shtml

In an earlier column we discussed heat injuries. I was asked to remind you about one more danger concerning the sun. Don't forget that the sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause premature aging, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer, including melanoma.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1 million Americans get skin cancer each year, leading to more than 12,000 deaths. Protect yourself by limiting exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be out, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and a wide brim hat, or use sunscreens with a skin protection factor (spf) of 15 or higher.

Apply sunscreens 30 minutes before going out into the sun, ensure all exposed skin is covered and reapply periodically.

Wear uv-absorbent sunglasses, and remember, sunlight reflected by water and sand exposes you to greater UV rays. For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/.

Many boaters prepare food at home and they bring it on board. Unless the food is stored in a cooler or in a refrigerator, it may not be safe to eat. Picnic baskets provide some protection, but inside a picnic basket left in the sun, the temperature may rise to above 100F degrees.

At these temperatures sandwiches with meat products may cause trouble.

Be cautious about food preparation and handling. Clean thoroughly all food preparation surfaces and wash hands. Since food preparation surfaces on boats are always small, avoid cross contamination of cooked and uncooked food during preparation, during grilling and serving. This is a prime cause of food borne illness.

To ensure that harmful bacteria is killed, use a food thermometer to make sure meats are cooked to the proper temperature when using a grill. Keep cold foods cold.

Meats and salads should be kept in an insulated cooler packed with several inches of ice. Keep coolers out of vehicle trunks and store in a shaded area.

Replenish ice in coolers frequently to keep the temperature range constant. Put leftover perishables back on ice once you finish eating so they don't spoil. More safety information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/

Following these safety tips and those which we discussed in the last two columns will help make this a safe and enjoyable summer.

John E. Keshishoglou is the IP flotilla commander of the Ithaca Flotilla 22. He can be reached at (607) 273-7175