Letter: Provide lifeguards, life jackets at public beaches

Swimming season is right around the corner. Families will pull out their swim trunks, towels and sunscreen in anticipation of spending time at the local lakes. What most families don't realize is that with the turning of the seasons, their children's safety becomes jeopardized.

Most of the public beaches in Iowa do not provide lifeguards. The sole safety measure in place is a sign posted at beach entrances announcing that there are no lifeguards on duty. Last August, a 6-year-old named Alaina Hauskins drowned in Lake Macbride. Having one or more lifeguards that afternoon could have saved Alaina's life. Procuring a lifeguard now could prevent drownings from happening in the future.

The beaches encourage patrons to wear safety gear. While suggestions are nice, requiring children to wear life vests could dramatically reduce their chances of drowning.Why aren't lifeguards and personal flotation devices made available to beach goers?

Posting signs is not sufficiently protecting our children. We hope that Lake Macbride and others will take action before another unnecessary tragedy occurs.

Katie Foster

Morgan Schlachter

Iowa City