personalized shirts: Water Patrol Teaches With T-Shirts

( Air Date: 7/29/2006 )

Missouri water patrol officers are on the look out for youngsters who are following the law. They`re handing out "I got caught wearing my lifejacket" T-shirts to kids on several Missouri waterways and the response is encouraging. Sergeant Eldon Wulf said, "Oh they get a kick out of it the adults want to put their lifejacket on real quick so they can get a personalized T-shirt too." Sergeant Wulf has heard every excuse in the book from parents not enforcing the law that requires any child under seven to wear a life jacket. Wulf said, "The main one is it`s too hot and the kid doesn`t want to have it on and they throw a fit." Sgt. Wulf says parents can avoid a battle by not allowing a child on the boat without it. He says you should make them put on life jackets at the dock or marina before the boat leaves the marina. Wulf warns that parents can`t depend on themselves to save the day because even parental supervision can`t prevent some drownings. Wulf said, "The most common fatality is a drowning in a small boat under 16 foot that `s easy to capsize. If you wind up in the water unexpectedly and the water`s cold or you bump your head there`s a good chance you`ll drown without a life jacket."

Catching kids following the law means some parents are getting the right message across. Seven-years-old Mackenzie Cyr "It`s safe for you and you`re supposed to wear it all times." Five-year-old Madison Cyr said, "Cause it`s safe and our mom tells us too."
Water patrolmen say if one child is saved from the T-shirt program their goal is met but they admit it`s fun handing out something besides a ticket. If a child is caught without a life jacket a ticket will cost the boat driver about 180 dollars but everyone we saw today had smooth sailing.