Corps kicks off "Saved by the Zone: The Life Jacket Zone" campaign
WILMINGTON, N.C. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District has partnered with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. State Parks, the Neuse River keeper Foundation, Safe Kids Wake County, Safe Kids Chatham County, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in the Saved by the Zone: The Life Jacket Zone campaign this summer.
This summer visitors will see the “Life Jacket Zone” message on stencils painted at boat ramps across North Carolina and southern Virginia, at water safety educational events, and online through a life jacket photo contest.
What is the Life Jacket Zone?
Drowning fatalities are preventable. All one has to do is wear a life jacket. The "Life Jacket Zone" stencil painted at boat ramps is reminder to the public to wear a life jacket at water recreation areas. When you see the zone, stop and snap a picture of yourself in a life jacket and send it to the "Life Jacket Zone" Facebook page for a chance to win some great prizes.
Life Jacket Zone Kickoff
On June 6th, the campaign will officially kickoff at Jordan Lake. To reach both the swimming and boating public activities will be held at Seaforth Swim Beach and Farrington Point Boat Ramp from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event is designed to ensure you are geared up for summer and will include drawings for free kid’s life jackets, sun safety bracelets, dry land swim lessons, a Hot Tots Demonstration, life jacket races and more at the swim beach. Boaters will be able to get a free vessel safety check, ‘Chalk the Walk’ with safety messages, and try out fatal vision goggles at Farrington Point. Check out our lake Facebook pages for additional events coming up.
Life Jacket Check & Exchange
Don’t let the wrong size life jacket ruin your trip? We like to compare this to running a race in shoes that are clearly too big or too small for you! What is going to happen? Well, the same goes with a life jacket. Having the wrong size potentially means a loss of life. Make sure you and your family has life jackets that fit and that are in good condition.
Children’s life jackets are available free of charge and will be distributed at the Life Jacket Zone Kickoff held at Jordan Lake, while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to bring a life jacket to exchange. The life jackets were made possible through a grant awarded to Safe Kids Wake County by the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign (Wear It! Grassroots) Support program.
If you would like to recycle your gently used life jackets, they may be turned in at any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Assistance Center. If you have questions about the program, please contact us at 919-542-4501 x27 or by email.
Life Jacket Zone Facebook Competition
The Life Jacket Zone photo contest runs through Monday, Sept. 14th. Participants are asked to snap a picture of themselves, family, or friends properly wearing a life jacket and then submit the photographs to the Life Jacket Zone Facebook site at www.facebook.com/LifeJacketZoneNC . The pictures with the most likes at the end of the summer will some great prizes.
Participants can earn up to 10 bonus "likes" by including the "Life Jacket Zone" stencil or logo in the picture.
We can't wait to see you on the web and the water!