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Boating Safety for Babies
Educational Workshops
Due to COVID-19, inspection stations hours in your area are likely to be suspended or adjusted. Please call ahead to make sure they are open.
Our coalitions host educational workshops for parents and caregivers.
To find an event, select your state on the left-side navigation. If your state is not listed, contact your local coalition.
Educational Workshop Listings
Boating Safety for Babies
If boating is a favorite pastime for your family, you're probably eager to introduce your children to it as soon as they're ready. Taking an infant on board a boat requires certain precautions to ensure the safety of such a precious passenger.
Top Safety Tips
- According to the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety, babies should not travel on a boat, including rowboats, kayaks, motorboats and sailboats until they are at the appropriate weight to wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD). Here's some more information on how to choose the right PFD.
- Hold your baby throughout the entire boating experience while you are also wearing your own life jacket. Allowing a baby to rest in a car seat is not a good option since the car seat will sink if the boat capsizes.
- Infants and young kids are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you are taking babies on a boat, just take a few extra precautions to keep them warm. If your babies seem cold or are shivering, wrap them tightly in a dry blanket or towel.