Latest news with #CoastGuard-approved
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is your child's life jacket the right one?
(WKBN) – It's that time of year when families are enjoying the summer heat around water. It's a fun time, but it also comes with the potential for danger. Making sure that kids have the right personal flotation device (PFD) around water and on boats is imperative. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the second-leading cause of death in children is drowning, after other unintentional injuries. According to the Coast Guard, for a PFD to work right, it must fit snugly on a child. Any Coast Guard-approved life vest will come with an age range listed on it. Make sure you try it on and buckle all the parts provided. Then, lift the child up by the life jacket around the shoulder area. If the child's shoulders or mouth slip through, it's too big. Make sure to let your child practice wearing the PFD in calm water or a swimming pool. This is a good time to test out the PFD to make sure it's the right design and fit. Some children float best in one style, while others will float better in another. Also, check out your PFD every year to make sure there isn't any wear and tear that could compromise its flotation ability. Arm floats, floaties and other water toys should never replace a PFD. Sometimes, water toys can give parents a false sense of security but these inflatables can restrict movement, give unbalanced support and easily slip off. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New life jacket stations aim to make Cleveland County waters safer
Swimming in Cleveland County is a little safer now, according to the Shelby Star. Two groups installed five life jacket loaner stations. ALSO READ: Father rescues 2-year-old daughter from drowning in pool They will be located at the Broad River Greenway, Moss Lake, and the new Lawndale City Park. They are completely free to use. Each station has 25 Coast Guard-approved life jackets in a range of sizes so people can enjoy the water safely. VIDEO: Father rescues 2-year-old daughter from drowning in pool
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Authorities warn of the dangers of swimming in rivers
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — As temperatures rise, so does the temptation to cool off in local rivers, but officials warn, it's not worth the risk. Rescue crews responded to a call earlier Tuesday for a man in distress on the Lackawanna River. He was successfully removed, but fire officials say this should be a wake-up call for anyone thinking about swimming in rivers this summer. Scranton fire officials say the Lackawanna River may look calm, but it's anything but predictable. 'Any body of water is always going to be dangerous. The water is fairly cold right now, so being in there for a little bit of time, you know, their muscles can atrophy, they could drown very easily, even though it's not up that high,' Scranton Fire Department Chief John Judge said. It's not just risky for swimmers. River rescues also put first responders in danger. 'We don't have a lot of access points for the Lackawanna River. I mean, it's not designed in that manner. It's just so unpredictable depending on how quickly it's moving, you know, the turbulence that goes with it, there's, you know, fallen trees that are in there that could be an entanglement hazard,' Chief Judge explained. Anti-gang efforts in NEPA target youth The Scranton Fire Department is heavily invested in water rescue training, with certified instructors teaching life-saving techniques year-round. 'We have our own instructors here that are certified by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that go away for training. When the initial 911 call comes in, he might be, you know, blocks away by the time we get there. So our responders know that, and they know how the water is moving, so they'll start pre-positioning resources downstream,' Chief Judge continued. Chief Judge urges people to wear a personal flotation device, avoid trespassing in restricted areas like the Nay Aug Gorge, and never swim alone. 'It's always making sure that you know people know where, somebody knows where you're at, you're not doing it alone, and you have a Coast Guard-approved PFD, a personal flotation device with you. We're in that summer season now between Labor Day or Memorial Day and Labor Day. So we'll be on our, on our guard for what's going on up there,' Chief Judge told 28/22 News. The fire chief says the best way to stay safe is to stay out unless you're experienced, equipped, and following all safety rules. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officials urge water safety as holiday weekend marks start of boating season
(KRON) — Officials are urging water safety as the Memorial Day weekend arrives, marking the traditional start of the boating season. The Contra Costa County Sheriff is urging boaters to stay safe while enjoying the water this weekend. Large crowds are expected throughout the holiday weekend and all through the summer months for boating, fishing, and water sports. Safety, according to the sheriff, 'remains a top priority.' 'Please always be safe, smart, and alert while on the Delta,' advised Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. 'Many boating accidents could be avoided by planning ahead.' The U.S. Coast Guard, according to the sheriff, says that '80% of boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket.' Marjorie Taylor Greene slams Elon Musk's Grok AI as 'left leaning' As the busy boating season gets underway, the CoCo County Sheriff's Marine Unit wants to remind people of the following: California Boater Card required for anyone who operates a motorized vessel A new boating law effective this July requires the use of an engine cut-off switch, or kill switch on vessels under 26 feet Life jackets save lives: All vessels, including standup paddleboard, must carry Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all on board Boating under the influence: Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and dangerous Safe navigation practices: Always operate at safe speeds, especially in narrow channels Water sky flag: When towing a water skier or wakeboarder, operators must display a red or orange ski flag Blue light law: Boaters must slow to no-wake speed when approaching or being approached by law enforcement or emergency vessels Emergency preparedness: Carry an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, warm clothes, a cell phone, VHF radio, and navigational charts Carbon monoxide awareness: Be caution of carbon monoxide buildup Children ages 12-15 may operate boats with motors over 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet only if directly supervised by an adult Throwables required: Boats 16 feet and longer must carry a Coat Guard approved throwable flotation device Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Coast Guard warning residents of thin ice on Great Lakes as temperatures rise
Erie, PA (WJET/WFXP)– Temperatures in the Great Lakes region are starting to warm up a bit and that means ice is thinning across the frozen waterfronts leading to potential breaks the United States Coast Guard is warning. The Coast Guard said fluctuating temperatures and warmer air in the region cause the ice to melt at an alarming rate and are warning residents to take extreme caution when going out on the ice. Seasonal fun on frozen Lake Erie can be fun but dangerous experts say While the air may feel warmer, the water temperature for all Great Lakes is still dangerously cold and can pose as a safety threat to anyone that falls in, even if for just a moment. The thickness of the ice can vary from spot to spot and can be unpredictable the Coast Guard said with spots around narrow areas, inlets and outlets particulary prone to thin ice. Officials are also warning residents to keep an eye out for and stay away from ice near shores, cracks, seams, pressure ridges, slushy areas and darker areas which indicate thin ice. In the event of someone falling in, crews are at the ready during all hours of the day to help with some preparing just in case. Presque Isle Bay named one of the top winter fishing destinations in the country Crews in Erie, Pennsylvania from the Coast Guard and North East Fire Deparment could be seen practicing their ice water rescues on the frozen waters of Presque Isle Bay Tuesday morning. Before heading out on the ice, the Coast Guard recommends the following tips: Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket Dress for the water temperature not the air temperature. Hypothermia is the biggest danger after falling into the water, even if one manages to get out immediately. Dress in bright colors, wear reflective clothing, patches, or tape, and wear an exposure suit that is waterproof. Never go out on the water alone; always use the buddy system. File a float plan to let a friend or relative know where you're going and how long you expect to be gone. Carry a registered personal locator beacon in addition to a marine radio to alert the Coast Guard and local safety agencies of potential distress. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
