All across the country, people are getting ready for the boating season and that's why this week is designated as National Safe Boating Week, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The idea started as a small grassroots effort in 1957 and has grown to a nationwide program backed by presidential proclamation, and is also observed in Canada.

The theme for this year's observance is "Wear It," with the goal of getting people to wear life jackets. The U.S. Coast Guard notes that in nearly nine out of 10 boating deaths, those involved were not wearing life jackets.

National Safe Boating Week runs through Friday.