The Ontario Provincial Police and Transport Canada are stressing the importance of a safe recreational boating environment and have partnered to encourage Ontario boaters to dispose of their unwanted expired recreational marine flares safely.

From August 1 to 8, anyone with expired recreational marine flares who wishes to dispose of them can drop them off at any of the 165 OPP detachments across the province. At the end of the week, the OPP will turn the expired flares in to Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety for safe transport to a certified disposal site.

Marine flares should only be set off in an emergency situation, and should be replaced after their expiry date. Due to the environmental concerns and the dangers of explosion expired recreational marine flares should not be disposed of in the landfill.

Two easy steps are all that is required to protect your boating environment by taking this opportunity to safely dispose of your expired recreational marine flares:

Step One: Check the expiry date of all the recreational marine flares on your boat or in storage.

Step Two: Expired recreational marine flares that you wish to dispose can be dropped off at the nearest OPP detachment. OPP locations are listed at www. opp.ca/ Organization/ RegionsandDetachments/ind ex.htm.

"Recreational marine flares are an important part of your safety equipment on a boat. This initiative is a good time to remind boaters to check this important piece of safety equipment and ensure it is up to standard," said OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander responsible for Traffic and Marine Safety. "We encourage boaters to use this opportunity to discard their expired recreational marine flares at their local OPP detachment during the first week of August (2009) so that they can be safely disposed of by Transport Canada."

Having the right equipment on-board your boat can save your life. But remember, the best protection you can give yourself on the water is to always wear your lifejacket! OPP's Marine Programs Officers patrol Ontario waters and may check your on-board safety equipment. For more information about vessel safety equipment requirements, including recreational marine flares, visit the Transport Canada's Office of Boating website: www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.