Free loaner life jackets are available at Folsom Fire Station 35.

On duty personnel are available to assist.

Remember that life jackets fit like clothing; not everyone is the same size. Here’s a handy guide from the Coast Guard on How to Choose the Right Life Jacket.

Do I really need a life jacket?

The short answer is yes, and your children definitely need one too. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14. The majority of drownings and near-drownings occur in residential swimming pools and in open water sites. Drowning usually occurs quickly and silently. It can happen in a matter of seconds and typically occurs when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse in supervision. Two minutes following submersion, a child will lose consciousness. Irreversible brain damage occurs after four to six minutes and determines the immediate and long-term survival of a child. This can all be easily prevented by simply making sure your child wears a life jacket.

For further information on children and water safety, visit ABC's of Drowning.

For more information, visit the Department of Boating and Waterways.

The Life Jacket Loan Program has a list of local fire departments that participate.