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With summer winding down, many families will escape to area lakes in coming weeks. To make sure such outings don’t end in tragedy, Safe Kids Minot is teaming up with Brady Martz and the Minot Park District to give families easy access to life jackets.

Amber Emerson, RN, Safe Kids Minot coordinator, says the Life Jack Loaner Program is a community project to give families access to life jackets for short-term use.

“Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death in preschool age children,” Emerson said. “I’m so grateful to see one of our municipal partners and a local business band together so kids can be safe while enjoying the water.”

Accessing the program is simple. Families pick up the loaner jackets at the Minot Park District office at 420 3rd Ave. SW. They fill out some paperwork and sign an agreement to return them intact within 14 days. The loaner vests, which range in size from infant to adult, are available free of charge, thanks to a grant from Brady Martz.

According to Emerson, the life jackets can be utilized for lake trips or pool visits and are available to Minot families as well as those visiting from out of town.