Life Jackets for Kids: A Buying Guide

When shopping for a life jacket intended to be worn by your young child or kid, safety isn’t the only thing you should be focusing on. The very reason why you intend to buy one is to make sure the young ones have protection against drowning while swimming, but once they’re in the water, you likewise want them to feel as comfortable as possible. That’s not possible if you bought something that don’t fit them or is made of a material that promotes discomfort.

Since safety is always the most important concern, it means that in shopping for a life jacket for your kids or an infant child, you only must look for those that are approved and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. This actually is a requirement for kids or children weighing less than 30 pounds. Still on safety concerns, it is best that you buy one with a Type II rating because it already comes equipped with either a head pillow or a float collar. The purpose of both is to make sure that the baby’s head will remain above the water all the time.

Furthermore, a life jacket with a grab loop is ideal because this feature helps you to hold on tight to your child while he or she is in the water. Another important feature you should look for in a life jacket is a crotch strap that’s intended to prevent the jacket from slipping off the head of the child.

Remember that in choosing the right type of life jacket, a proper fit is as important as any other feature. We mentioned earlier that comfort is very important because no matter how safe and high quality the life jacket is, all of it won’t matter if the child wearing it does not feel comfortable due to the fact that the size does not fit him or her well. It’s no secret that kids grow quite fast, suggesting that this also has to be taken into consideration when purchasing a life jacket for them.

Finally, you have to learn that no other device, clothing, or gear can replace a life jacket, especially that we’re talking about the safety of your kids. What this means is that you never can use anything and treat it as a life jacket. Doing it is plain stupid on your part as a parent and it will increase the likelihood of your child drowning due to wearing an improper safety equipment. Don’t forget that children are always prone to accidents, particularly drowning, when they’re in the water, and that is the very reason why life jackets and vests were conceptualized. So if you really want your kids to be completely safe and protected when swimming, buy a good life jacket for them.

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