There are many personal flotation devices on the market. Many of them have fun designs and are appealing to kids but most are not safe to use as a flotation device. Pool arm floats and blow up rings are wonderful tools to be used with immediate parental supervision but they will not keep a toddler afloat in an emergency. Arm floats can easily slide off tiny toddler arms and blow up rings can tip over and hold the child under water.

Parents of toddlers should purchase a toddler sized life jacket that is an approved flotation device. Toddlers under 30 pounds should wear a life jacket with a flotation collar to keep their head above water. Life jackets should worn by toddlers both in the pool and while playing out of the water near a pool in case they fall in. Life jackets are not a substitute for direct supervision.