Kids Don’t Float, a water safety program that aims to prevent child drowning deaths, was launched nationally today in Savannah, Ga.  The program uses lifejacket loaner stations near docks to give kids access to personal flotation devices (PFDs), and an educational component aimed at children ages 8-14.

Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death to children ages 1 to 14 years.

The Kids Don’t Float program was created by a local fire department and Safe Kids Kenai Peninsula in Homer, Alaska, to combat the high rate of drowning 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 in Alaska, Safe Kids USA is expanding the program to include 38 lifejacket loner stations at 19 locations nationwide.  The loaner program is based on the honor system, with lifejackets made available on loaner boards near open water for swimmers and boaters to borrow and return.

The loner board locations include the launch site in Savannah, Ga., as well as stations in 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.