August 30, 2010- Toronto, ON – SmartBoater.ca and the Lifesaving Society urge Canadians both young and old to wear their lifejackets when on or near the water. There is still plenty of summer left and they want to ensure that everyone safely enjoys their on-water activities.

Water safety starts with watching your children at all times when they are near the water and keeping them within arm’s reach. And when you are out on the water, make sure that you and your children are all wearing lifejackets.

However, simply wearing a lifejacket may not be enough. It has to be properly fitted or it might not work properly and this is especially important when it comes to children. Some key elements of proper fit for a child’s lifejacket include:

• A snug fit. Check weight and size on the label and make sure it is appropriate for your child.
• Try the lifejacket on your child. Pick up your child by the shoulders of the lifejacket to make sure that the jacket doesn’t ride up over the child’s chin and ears, or worse slip right off.
• Have your child sit on the ground to make sure that the jacket will be comfortable while seated and the jacket doesn’t ride up too high.

Lifejackets for children have a number of features that are important:

• A head support for the child’s head when the child is in the water.
• A safety strap that goes between the legs to prevent the lifejacket from slipping over your child’s head. This is a key component to a child’s lifejacket.
• A grab loop on the collar for quick extraction from the water.
• Bright colours like red, yellow and orange are more easily seen in the water or as your child walks along the beach or dock.

To see a short online demonstration of how to properly fit a child’s lifejacket check out www.smartboater.ca

Once you have the right sized jacket, the most important thing is to wear it. Not only should your children wear theirs, but as a parent, you need to set the right example by wearing one yourself to ensure your own safety.

Remember, it won’t work if you don’t wear it.

SmartBoater.ca is an online boating and water safety resource web site with lots of vital information for boaters, paddlers, sailors and anyone that enjoys time on the water.

Visit www.smartboater.ca and www.lifesavingsociety.com for more information.

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For further information contact:
Susanne Simic, Simic Public Relations for SmartBoater.ca
T: (416) 622-3358 or susanne.simic@sympatico.ca