August 11, 2000

Water Safety is Very Important for Children

Each year, millions of people flock to our county’s beautiful beaches to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, water-skiing and many other forms of water recreation.

Local families enjoy these resources as well, or travel to other areas to do so. Summertime usually involves even higher levels of water recreation, and can be a source of great family fun.

Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous, especially for children.

That’s why it’s important to teach all children how to be safe in and around the water.  The boating and water safety lessons children learn at an early age can protect them throughout their lives.

First, have your children learn to swim.  But they should never swim alone—they should always use the buddy system.  They should also know the items that can be used to help save someone in trouble—a rope, oar, branch, or life preserver.

They should never swim where there is no lifeguard on duty, and always obey signs that say "danger," "keep out," or "private property."  When on a boat, they should always wear a life jacket and stay seated.
 
In fact, it is California law that any person under age seven wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while underway on a vessel 26 feet or less in length.  To fit a PFD properly on a child it is important not to buy one that is too large, with the expectation that the child will grow into it.  One that is too large will not work as well now, while the child is small and needs it the most.

For a newborn less than 30 pounds, it is recommended that the size be 16 to 20 inches in circumference.  A toddler of 30 to 50 pounds, usually aged 2 to 5, should wear one 20 to 23 inches in circumference.  A medium-sized child,  of 4 to 8 years should wear one 23 to 25 inches in circumference, and a youth up to 90 pounds or 12 years should wear one 26 to 29 inches around.

Make sure your children know that if they enter the water by accident, they should always stay with the boat, even if they have to hang on to the side.

And remember--safe boating is fun boating.

Coloring books prepared by the state department of boating and waterways can help young children learn the rules and lessons that can save their lives.  They are available from the local Coast Guard auxiliary.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has also taught water and boating safety for many years locally to help instill in small children the basics of water safety.
A one-hour class, called Water and Kids, has been taught to school groups in kindergarten through third grades in both English and Spanish.
The course consists of slides showing things to do and to avoid doing around the water.  As each slide is shown, the children are asked to tell what the pictures represent.

At the end of the presentation, the children receive a coloring book with pages describing the situations presented.  They color the pages and bring the book home to show their families. This way, the course exposes entire families to the basics of water safety and opens the door to increased awareness and enjoyment.

Further information about life jackets, the coloring books, and the water safety courses can be obtained by calling the Coast Guard Auxiliary at 1-800- TOYSAIL.