PIERRE, S.D. – Like ice cream in a cone, kids and life jackets simply belong together. So, for another summer, South Dakota Dairy Queen stores and the Department of Game, Fish and Parks are teaming up as partners in boating safety.

Throughout this summer, youngsters could earn a coupon for a free Dairy Queen ice cream cone simply by wearing their life jacket while boating on South Dakota’s lakes and rivers. Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officers will distribute the coupons during routine water patrols.

"Wearing your life jacket is the most effective way to prevent drowning," said Arden Petersen, GFP regional supervisor in Sioux Falls. "Dairy Queen has been a great partner with us over the past several years to encourage the use of life jackets."

Delon Mork, representative of the S.D. Dairy Queen Association, said DQ stores in the state are participating in the program. "As an association, we are happy to be part of South Dakota’s efforts to keep kids safe during their summer boating activities," he said.

Petersen also noted that officers have a limited supply of the coupons for the summer and may not have them every time they are on the water.

A report from the U.S. Coast Guard indicates that 90 percent of last year’s drowning victims in the U.S. were not wearing a life jacket. "Some boaters think they’ll be able to reach their life jacket if something unexpected happens," said Al Bahe, GFP boating safety coordinator. "But, that’s like trying to buckle your seat belt during a car accident. You simply do not have time. The life jacket serves no purpose if it is still in the boat and you are in the water."

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