Every year, the news is full of devastating stories about parents who lost children or families who lost relatives who drowned. No one is drown-proof, and drowning does not discriminate. In the U.S., according to Stop Drowning Now, “there is an average of 10 fatal drownings daily. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years of age, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for 5-15 year olds.”
All drownings are preventable, but you have to understand the facts and know how to prevent it from happening.
The Licking Park District is continuing to help keep kids safe while on or near the water by offering loaner life jackets to the public for the day or weekend at no charge. The Licking County Health Department has made this safety program possible via a grant received through the Ohio Department of Health.
The goal of this program is to keep people safer while boating, kayaking, fishing or recreating on or near water. The life jackets will be available through October and will be available again in the spring beginning in April.
If a family discovers they don’t have enough properly fitting children’s life jackets while on or near a body of water, they can simply visit Infirmary Mound Park Shelter No. 6 and check out an infant, child, youth or adult life jacket for the day or the weekend. Once the borrower has finished using the life jackets for the day, they can return the jackets to the same location. Signage on how to properly fit life jackets is available at the borrow station.
It is important to understand that recreating in natural bodies of water like rivers, lakes and oceans is very different from recreating in a swimming pool. Water currents can tire you out and sweep you away, and distance across water is greater than it looks. Cold water can shock your body and make it difficult to swim, water depth can suddenly change to above chin level, and underwater hazards like trees and rocks can trap you and keep you from swimming back to shore.
Wearing a life jacket can save your life and help bring everyone home after a fun day in or on the water by preventing drowning, keeping you afloat if you get tired and giving you time while awaiting rescue.
All water users (swimmers, boaters, anglers, etc.) should wear a life jacket. Even strong swimmers have drowned or needed to be rescued because they were overcome by the water. Simply carrying a life jacket is not enough as you may not have time to put it on if you encounter a water hazard, slip while fishing or fall out of your vessel. Don’t take the chance!
If you would like to borrow a jacket, simply stop by Infirmary Mound Park Shelter No. 6, 4351 Lancaster Road, Granville, between dawn and dusk.
To find other loaner sites near you, visit boatus.org/loaner. To check your state’s life jacket laws, visit boatus.org/LJLaws.
To learn more about Licking Park District programs and recreational facilities, visit LickingParkDistrict.com or call 740-587-2535.
The mission of the Licking Park District is to acquire, manage, preserve and conserve natural areas within Licking County, while protecting wildlife and local history in a manner that enriches communities and provides access to diverse parks, educational opportunities and health and wellness activities.
Information submitted by the Licking Park District.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Park District, Licking County Health Department to loan free life jackets
Reporting by Special to Granville Sentinel / Newark Advocate
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