Safe Kids Provides Free Lifejacket Loaner Stations at Van Pugh and Old Federal Parks

Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County participates in launch of national program to reduce drownings and educate kids about water safety

Van Pugh North Park on Lake Lanier

This week, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County participated in the launch of Kids Don’t Float, a water safety program of Safe Kids USA that is designed to decrease drownings – the second leading cause of injury-related death to kids ages 1-14 – by providing loaner lifejackets at Van Pugh and Old Federal parks on Lake Lanier, and educating kids on open water safety.

“Because drowning is so prevalent in the United States, we were delighted to host a launch of the national Kids Don’t Float program,” says Kim Martin, coalition coordinator for Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County.

As part of the program, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County has set up two lifejacket loaner stations at Lake Lanier, one at Van Pugh North Park on Gaines Ferry Road and one at Old Federal Park on Jim Crow Road.  Each station holds eight loaner lifejackets, ranging in size from small child to adult.  The lifejackets are available for use at no charge, to be returned to the unmanned stations at the end of the day.  Each station also provides education tips from “PFD Otter” on the importance of wearing lifejackets as well as instructions on how to properly fit a lifejacket.

 “As children grow older, the drowning risk increases for them in open water settings, in part because they are less apt to wear a lifejacket,” says Martin.  “Through the support and resources of Safe Kids USA, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County hopes that by providing loaner lifejackets and educating our children and caregivers, we can reduce drowning fatalities and increase child safety in open water settings.”

Kids Don’t Float was developed in Homer, Alaska, to combat the high rate of drownings in Alaska.  The program was then expanded by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the State of Alaska, Alaska Safe Kids and representatives from different community organizations to be used throughout Alaska.

Thanks to the success of Kids Don’t Float, Safe Kids USA has expanded the program to include 38 lifejacket loner stations at 19 locations nationwide.  The locations include stations in Savannah, Ga.; Marietta, Ga.; Gainesville, Ga.; Holland, Mich.; Richland, Wash; Kelso, Wash.; Yakima, Wash.; Silverdale, Wash.; Tacoma, Wash.; Houston, Texas; Austin, Texas; Lebanon, N.H.; Portland, Ore; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Tulsa, Okla.; Manitowoc, Wis.; Lakewood, Colo.; Topeka, Kansas; and Robbinsdale, Minn.

“We want to educate kids on open water safety and how important it is to always wear a lifejacket in and around open water,” says Martin.  “We want to make this educational learning experience fun for them so the safety messages stay with them for life.  Properly wearing a lifejacket in and around open water is an important safety precaution that can help reduce drownings and save kids’ lives.”

Congratulations to the Safe Kids Award Winners!

On May 22, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County celebrated its accomplishments of the past year at its annual awards banquet held at Lakewood Baptist Church. 

Awards presented during the banquet included Community Agency of the Year, which was given to the Gainesville Police Department.  Karen Jackson of Gainesville High School and Carie Love of Sugar Hill Elementary were named Teacher of the Year.  Office Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

(L-R) Carie Love, Coalition Coordinator Kim Martin and Karen Jackson.
 

Volunteer of the Year: Officer Kevin Holbrook and Agency of the Year: the Gainesville Police Department

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