Life Jacket Safety
Proper fitting life jackets are very important when children are around water. Whether you are out on a boat at a lake or just around the neighborhood pool, the following safety checklist will ensure the proper fit for your child.
Life Jacket Safety Checks:
- U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket - Product packaging states when a life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved
- Proper Fit - When the child lifts their hands above their head, the life jacket should stay under their chin
- Make sure that the straps are tightened
- Check the weight minimums & maximums for your child’s particular life jacket
Adult-sized life jackets will not fit children due to the weight requirements. To work correctly, a life jacket should fit snugly by not allowing the child's chin or ears to fit through the neck hole.
There are different kinds of life jackets for different water activities. Puddle jumpers are a great swimming aide, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it can used when boating. Each state has slightly different boating laws. Big Blue recommends that you check your state boating laws in order to be in compliance and keep your child safe while enjoying the water. Tom Giese, a former U.S. Coast Guard, recommends that children use a U. S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while the boat is in motion and when the boat is docked or anchored, children can use a puddle jumper as a swimming aide.
Life jackets should also go through a yearly test for wear and buoyancy. Life jackets that are waterlogged, faded, or leaky should be discarded.
Big Blue hopes this helps answer your life jacket safety questions and concerns during boating season. Happy boating!