Final answer:
Federal law requires that every child must wear a lifejacket while boating. While there may be varying laws for swimming, fishing, and playing sports, supervision near water is crucial to prevent drowning.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to federal law, every child must wear a lifejacket while boating. Child lifejacket laws do indeed vary from state to state, but on a federal level, the mandate for lifejackets is specific to boating activities. While it is always advised for children to wear lifejackets in and around bodies of water, the requirements for swimming, fishing, or playing sports may not be federally regulated but can be subject to state or local regulations.
It is also important to consider that young children should never be left unattended near water sources, as stated in Figure 16.3.5. This includes toilets, bathtubs, and buckets, which all pose potential drowning risks. In order to prevent accidents, it is critical to maintain constant supervision and use appropriate safety equipment, like lifejackets, when necessary.