The life you save may be your child's

Some friends of ours took their Danish exchange student up to the lake for his first water-skiing experience recently, and wow, did he have fun. He actually got up -- good job, Hans! He got a face full of water, of course, before he got the hang of it -- but all in all, he had a great time.

This is an incredible time of year to live in in the Valley with all the river rafting, canoeing, speedboating, sailing, wind-surfing -- and for those of you who like doing those sports with the kids, listen up. I got a note today from the Department of Boating and Waterways that on Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sam's Club in Fresno, there will be the 8th Annual Life Jacket Trade-In.

The public is invited to bring in children's life jackets for inspection by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or marine patrol officers. If a life jacket is found to be unserviceable, a new one of the appropriate size for the child will be given in exchange to ensure the child's safety while in or around the water. Children's life jackets will be available at each site while supplies last. (Only one new life jacket per family, please.)

The note encourages boating families to bring their questions to the experts. While the life jackets are being inspected, Safe Kids representatives, Boating and Waterways staff and Coast Guard Auxiliarists will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about life jacket use and boating and water safety.

The event is sponsored by the The Department of Boating and Waterways, in partnership with the Sacramento Safe Kids Coalition. Other partners are Radio Disney, Sam's Club, CBS Radio, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, who come together annually to mark National Safe Kids Week and National Safe Boating Week. The focus is on preventing water-related accidents involving children -- always a worthwhile goal here.

For more information, www.BoatSmarter.com or www.cgaux.org or www.auxpa.org