C.O.O.R. ISD CORNER
Initiative will make life jackets more accessible
The COOR/Iosco Great Start Collaborative is pleased to announce a five-county life jacket loaner station initiative called Float Safe. Life jacket stations are crucial for ensuring water safety by providing easy access to life jackets for people of all ages and swimming abilities. These stations promote safety in areas near water, such as beaches, lakes, and boating launches. Encouraging the proper use of life jackets can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and near-drowning incidents. Funding has been secured through state and local community grants to support this Float Safe Initiative.
The life jacket initiative will help families by providing a simple yet vital resource that can prevent emergencies, particularly in environments in our area where drowning risks are higher, such as rivers, lakes, and boat launches. This initiative focuses on making life jackets more accessible and ensuring that families—especially those with young children—have the proper safety gear when engaging in water activities. Children under five account for nearly a quarter of all drowning deaths. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5–14. Secondary drowning in children occurs when a child inhales water during a near-drowning incident, leading to delayed symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, lethargy, or behavioral changes that can develop hours or even days after the initial water exposure. One to two percent of near-drowning incidents end in death. Infants and toddlers can drown in only ONE INCH of water.
The stations we are creating will hold life jackets, sizes infant to Adult XL, that boaters or swimmers may borrow and use, free of charge. All boaters and water users should wear available life jackets to prevent drowning and keep everyone safe on the water. The loaner station will offer information for life jacket fitting and proper life jacket use. Also included in the Float Safe Loaner Station will be a life ring for emergency use. This initiative will include educational components that teach families about water safety, the importance of using life jackets properly, and how to prevent accidents in and around water. This knowledge is vital for creating a culture of water safety-conscious families. We are excited to offer this education in partnership with our local DNR, local government, law enforcement, and EMS.
Float Safe will involve community outreach, bringing awareness to water safety in areas where families may be more exposed to water-related risks. We encourage you to follow the Float Safe Initiative on our Facebook Page – COOR/Iosco Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition – for the unveiling of each of Float Safe Loaner Stations and the Float Safe Site Map.
The C.O.O.R. and Iosco Great Start Collaborative and C.O.O.R. Early Childhood Staff are excited to bring Float Safe to a community near you. Superintendent Shawn Petri is proud to offer this resource to our communities and is open to questions as always.
