Crime & Safety
Palatine Fire Dept. Provides Free, Loaner Life Jackets for Young People
Life vests can be loaned out to Palatine residents by the fire department year-round.
Summer is here, and that means more activities around water. Children ages one to four have the highest drowning rates - and every day, 10 people die from unintentional drowning, according to statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
To address this serious public safety issue, the Palatine Fire Department is offering free loaner life jackets designed from children five pounds and up. The life jackets are provided by the BoatU.S. Foundation.
"We encourage their use while vacationing near water, days at the local pool, boating or any water-related activity," a Palatine Fire Department press release states.
There is a current supply of 88 jackets available in infant, child, youth and young adult sizes. Families are able to check out the life jackets for up to one week at a time.
For more information call the Palatine Fire Department at 847-202-6340, or stop by one of the four Palatine fire stations:
- Station #82: 1475 N. Hicks Road
- Station #83: 987 E. Palatine Road
- Station #84: 220 W. Illinois Avenue
- Station #85: 39 E. Colfax Street
Fire Department officials also encourage you to bring your child or children so they can be properly fitted for the life vest.
The program is available year-round, and the fire department reminds all residents, "Life jackets float, you don't."
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