Wear a life jacket, get a free t-shirt

Ameren Missouri and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are teaming up to promote boating safety at the Lake of the Ozarks

Throughout the summer, kids caught wearing their life jackets while on the Lake of the Ozarks could receive a free t-shirt. The giveaway is part of a partnership between Ameren Missouri and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's (MSHP) Water Patrol Division to raise awareness about water safety.

Members of MSHP's Water Patrol Division work to keep boaters safe at the Lake of the Ozarks.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people back to the lake this summer, and we want to make sure everyone has a safe and fun season,” said Captain Mike Petlansky, MSHP water patrol division director. “Wearing a properly fitted life jacket is one of the best ways for children – as well as adults – to enjoy the lake safely.”

Data from the U.S. Coast Guard show that people who fail to wear a life jacket are at an increased risk of death during a boating accident. In 2021, the Coast Guard counted 658 fatal boating accidents. Where cause of death was known, 81% of fatal boating accident victims had drowned, and 83% of those drowning victims had not been wearing a life jacket.

Boaters of all ages should wear life jackets for any water activities, regardless of their swimming abilities.

“The best way to protect yourself is to wear a life jacket,” said Bryan Vance, supervisor of shoreline management at Ameren. “Giving away t-shirts is a simple, visual way to remind everyone to wear a life jacket any time you are on a dock, in a boat or in the water.”

There are U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket styles available for cruising, paddling, fishing and water sports. These life jackets come in a variety of shapes and sizes — a proper fit is essential. Life jackets that are too big may push up and around your face, which could be dangerous, and life jackets that are too small may not be able to keep your body afloat. 

To maximize safety this season, Ameren Missouri and the MSHP encourage all boaters to follow the Coast Guard’s recommendations for proper life jacket use:

  • Always wear a life jacket while aboard a vessel and near or around water, including boat docks and shorelines.

  • Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure the life jacket is a proper fit for your child’s size and weight.

  • Tighten all straps so the life jacket is properly fastened.

  • Check the fit by lifting the shoulders of the life jacket. If it hits the top of the child’s ears, it’s too big. Make sure there is no excess room above the openings and that the life jacket does not go over their chin or face.

  • For the best fit, try the life jacket in shallow water, under safe and supervised conditions.

  • Life jackets should never replace adult supervision.

In addition to wearing life jackets on the water, people should practice safety around the shoreline. For Ameren Missouri’s updated report on Lake of the Ozarks water levels, please call 573.365.9205 or visit AmerenMissouri.com/Lake for additional safety information.

Published on by Gregory Hauenstein.