Compulsory lifejackets for children is plain common sense

30 October 2013

Compulsory lifejackets for children is plain common sense

Making it compulsory for children to wear lifejackets on small boats is just plain common sense, according to the Injury Prevention Network.

The Network is lending its support to the recent call from National Party MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga that lifejackets need to be compulsory for children under the age of 15 years on boats up to six metres in length.

“About one in four New Zealanders own or use a boat – that is potentially a lot of children out on the water and we know that in many instances they are out there not wearing lifejackets.” says Justine Ropata from the Injury Prevention Network. “All boats are required to carry a lifejacket for each person so it is just plain common sense that children should wear one at all times. Small boats are more at risk of capsizing and we know that 80% of kids in New Zealand can’t swim well enough to save themselves.”

“Water Safety New Zealand report that in the past 20 years there were 215 drownings from boats with almost half relating to boats less than four metres. Of these, 83% were not wearing a lifejacket. It’s plain and simple, wearing a lifejacket saves lives.”

The Injury Prevention Network is a national leader in the injury prevention sector, advocating for the reduction and severity of unintentional and intentional injury in New Zealand.

ENDS

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