Parents urged to follow water safety rules

With the 2008 summer recreational boating season still in full swing, parents are reminded to make sure their children are safely buckled into a U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket at all times on or near the water.

California state law requires that children under 12 years old must 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. Taking an extra measure of safety can also protect children in hazardous areas near the water, such as on piers.

Marine manufacturers have incorporated new designs and technologies into children's safety equipment, such as life jackets and life jacket-type swimwear in bright colors and cartoon prints.

Children's jackets are also constructed to provide extra protection. Many models for infants and toddlers have built-in head support that will the turn the wearer face-up in the water, and most are built with extra buoyancy or other safety features.

Height and weight can vary within age groups, so take the child along for a life jacket fitting. Swim aids and water wings are considered toys and do not meet state requirements.

Look for the U.S. Coast Guard label on the inside of the life jacket to guarantee the jacket has passed stringent tests for safety and durability.

Check the label and match the child's weight to the range listed. Most children in the 30 to 50pound weight range, especially those who can't swim, should wear a Type II life jacket.

A child's life jacket should fit snugly. Parents should never make the mistake of buying a life jacket that a child will "grow into."

To check for a good fit, put the life jacket on the child and then pick him or her up by the shoulders of the jacket. If the jacket fits correctly, it will not ride up and the child's chin and ears will not slip through.

Once purchased, make sure the child feels comfortable wearing the life jacket and always test its effectiveness in the water before going boating. Conduct a "float test" in a secure, nonboating setting, such as a swimming pool, and teach the child how to float in a relaxed, face-up position.

Adults should set a good example by wearing their own life jacket at all times on or near the water.

The California Department of Boating and Waterways has life jackets for children and adults available on loan at local fire stations and other locations for those who cannot afford to buy life jackets or need them for one use only. To find a life jacket loan station, visit www.dbw.ca.gov/ BoaterInfo/LifeJacket.aspx.