At some point all children say, “I’m done with floaties.” How do you really know when little swimmers should be done with life jackets? There is always room for improvement with swimming skills, learn our HARD AND FAST RULE for needing a life jacket, our 11 family rules about pool safety and our boundary that is a hard-pass-walk-away-no-no.

There is way more to information about life jackets than I thought and I want to share it. Every age, size, weight, level of swimmer and activity has a recommended life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device). There are so many styles and levels to water safety, but where to start? Start here! Here’s why: "The majority of drownings occur in calm, inland waters. Most of those who drowned were within a few feet of safety and had easy access to a life jacket but were not wearing one.”

Florida is the third (#3) highest state with the most water. Every year there are enough children under age 4 that are lost to unintentional drowning in Florida to fill 3-4 preschool classrooms. Learn more about what FLORIDA is doing to help families and how you can help your children. Water Safety is everyone’s responsibility.