08/10/2026
Lifejacket Tips for Water Smart Parents
- A lifejacket is not a substitute for adult supervision.
- A lifejacket should fit snugly and not ride up over your child’s chin or ears.
- If there are more than 3 inches between your child’s shoulders and the lifejacket, it is too big.
- A large collar is good for supporting your child’s head.
- The safety strap that goes between the legs prevents the lifejacket from slipping over your child’s head.
- Bright colours like red, orange, yellow and pink are recommended for the best visibility in water.
- The safest lifejackets and PFDs are approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, or Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which is indicated on the inside label.
- There are no approved lifejackets or PFDs for children under 20lbs. It’s recommended that you wait until your child is over 20lbs before taking them boating. Flotation devices do exist for children under 20lbs, if your child must be on a boat before they are 20lbs, look for these qualities in a flotation vest:
- Large collar/head support
- Handle/grab strap at the top of collar for easier removal from the water if necessary
- Leg straps
- Secure buckles/zippers
- Snug fit
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Monita de Praecinctis Salutis pro Parentibus Aquae Prudentibus
- Praecinctus salutis custodiam adultorum non supplet.
- Praecinctus salutis arte convenire debet neque super mentum aut aures pueri tui ascendere.
- Si plus quam tres unciae inter umeros pueri tui et praecinctum salutis sunt, praecinctus nimis magnus est.
- Collum amplum caput pueri tui bene sustinet.
- Funiculus securitatis inter crura iacens prohibet ne vestis salvatoria super caput filii tui prolabatur.
- Colores clari, ut ruber, aurantius, flavus, et roseus, suadentur ad optimam visibilitatem in aqua.
- Vestes salvatoriae et PFD tutissimae approbantur a Transport Canada, Praesidio Litorali Canadensi, aut Piscibus et Oceanis Canadae, quod in pittacio interiore indicatur.
- Nullae vestes natatoriae vel vestes personalis fluitationis (PFD) probatae sunt pro liberis qui minus quam viginti libras pendent. Suadetur ut exspectes donec liber tuus plus quam viginti libras pendeat antequam eum in navicula ducas. Instrumenta fluitationis pro liberis qui minus quam viginti libras pendent exstant. Si liber tuus in navicula esse debet antequam viginti libras pendeat, has qualitates in veste fluitationis quaere:
- Collum magnum/sustentaculum capitis
- Ansa vel lorum ad summum collum ad facilius ex aqua extrahendum, si opus sit
- Lora crurum
- Fibulae/clausurae securae
- Accommodatio stricta