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Brentwood Press - DiscoveryBayPress_08.22.08 - Index

22A | brentwoodpress.com commUnItY August 22 2008
Big tips for little boaters
The U.S. Coast Guard and the California Department
of Boating and Waterways are making a special
pitch to boating parents to make sure their kids are safely
buckled into an approved life jacket at all times on or
near the water.
California state law requires that children under 12
wear a life jacket on boats 26 feet in length or less whenever
the boat is underway, unless they are below deck or
restrained by a tethered harness. But it’s wise to take an extra
measure of safety when children are in hazardous areas
near the water, such as piers.
Today’s life jackets for kids incorporate new designs,
technologies, and bright colors and cartoon prints. Kids’
jackets are also provide extra protection. Many models for
infants and toddlers feature built-in head support that will
turn the wearer face-up in the water, and most are built with
extra buoyancy or other safety features just
for children.
The U.S. Coast Guard label on
the inside of the life jacket signifies
that the jacket has passed stringent
tests for safety and durability.
Unlike shoes, a child’s life
jacket should fit snugly from
day one. Parents should
not buy a life jacket that
a child will grow into. To
check for a good fit, put
the life jacket on your children
and then pick them up
by the shoulders of the jacket.
The jacket should not ride up.
Make sure your children feel comfortable
wearing their life jacket and always
test its effectiveness in the water before
boating. Conduct a float test in a secure,
non-boating setting such as
a swimming pool, and teach your
children how to float in a relaxed,
face-up position. And set a good
example by wearing your own life
jacket at all times on or near the
water.
Cal Boating provides life jackets
for children and adults on loan at local
fire stations and other locations. To
find a Life Jacket Loan Station, visit www.
dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacket.aspx.