Have your child wear a lifejacket whenever boating or swimming in deep water. Young children should have a lifejacket that is labeled “coast guard approved.” Water wings, floaties, inner tubes, Styrofoam noodles and the like are considered toys and do not offer proper protection against drowning. Here are some thing you should know about kids and life jackets:

Choosing the proper life jacket for your child

In selecting a lifejacket for your child, you should. . .

A)  Make sure a child’s life jacket fits properly
Check the fit of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) by gently pulling up on the lifejacket’s shoulders. A properly fitting lifejacket should prevent a child’s chin and ears from slipping through the neck holes.

B)  Test your child’s life jacket prior to real world use
Test it out first under safe conditions. Lifejackets don’t always work the same for each child, depending on how they are made. Especially when it comes to small kids, some may actually just tip the child over so they lie face down in the water. Always test a personal flotation device first so you can see how well it works for your child.

C)  Check your child’s life jacket for wear
Inspect your child’s PFD for wear or damage. They can wear out just like clothing, and children may outgrow them. So check the fit every time your child puts it on.

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