The water dangers in the rivers, lakes and pools should be taken very seriously this summer and with several fatal incidents already occurring in the vicinity, the time for a Water Safety Education and Life Jacket Giveaway could not have come at a better time for families.

There were several different agencies involved with making this event a success, including the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Doctors Medical Center, Turlock Family Resource Center, Stanislaus County Police Activities League, and Oak Valley Hospital.

The event was held at Woodward Reservoir at the life jacket loaner station in Oakdale and began at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 23. People were lined up prior to 1 p.m. and in half an hour they had already distributed 40 life jackets.

This event was funded by a grant from the California State Department of Health “Kid Plates.” There were 300 life jackets available for the youth that participated in the event on a first come first served basis.

Stations included a CPR demonstration, water safety course and pool safety, along with the life jacket distribution.