Palatine Fire Department loaning life jackets for children

The Palatine Fire Department has collaborated with the BoatU.S. Foundation to provide free, loaner life jackets for children.

The program allows families to check out children's life jackets for a period of up to one week. The fire department encourages their use while vacationing near water, days at the local pool, boating, or for any water-related activity. Life jackets have been provided by the BoatU.S. Foundation and are designed for children from 5 to 90 lbs. The fire department currently has a limited supply of life jackets in four different sizes (infant, child, youth and young adult).

To check out life jackets, call the fire department at (847) 202-6340 or simply stop by any fire station: Station 81, 1215 N. Quentin Road; Station 82, 1475 N. Hicks Road; Station 83, 987 E. Palatine Road; Station 84, 220 W. Illinois Ave.; and Station 85, 39 E. Colfax St.

All loans require some basic information, including a copy of a driver's license and the number of days you intend to use the life jacket. When possible, please bring the child with so a firefighter can properly size them with the appropriate life jacket.