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Minnesota kids wearing life jackets while boating this summer will not only be practicing boat safety, but also could be rewarded with an ice cream treat.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has partnered with Dairy Queen to provide a PFD Panda Award certificate to youngsters who are observed by conservation officers to be wearing a life jacket while boating. The certificate includes a tear-off coupon that entitles the child to a free cone or cheeseburger from participating Dairy Queen restaurants.

"We at International Dairy Queen are pleased with the idea," said Ryan Hassebroek, regional marketing manager for the Minnesota-based company. "It is a great way to encourage children to wear their life jackets and our hope is that this safe boating behavior continues right through adulthood."

Currently more than 96 percent of children now wear a life jacket while boating in Minnesota, according to recent studies conducted by the DNR. That's an increase from about 47 percent in 1984.

The PFD Panda Award certificate was created by the DNR after a conservation officer suggested there be a reward for children wearing their life jacket. PFD Panda is the DNR's mascot that encourages kids to boat safely. PFD refers to personal flotation device, the official name given to life jackets.

"We've had the PFD Panda Award for nearly 20 years," Smalley said, "but we thought it would be a nice addition to give kids a cool treat to go along with the cool award for wearing their life jackets."

[[In-content Ad]]DNR conservation officers report that children have called them over to their family's boat so they can earn the life jacket award. One child said to his friend who had come along, "See, I told ya you get ice cream for wearing your life jacket."

Several other government agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, now use the PFD Panda character for boating safety promotional campaigns. However, Minnesota is the only state to use the PFD Panda Award.



"It's been a wonderful tool to educate youngsters about boating and water safety," Smalley said. "We know it's working, and thank Dairy Queen for stepping up to help with this important campaign."



Minnesota county sheriff's water patrol deputies also distribute the DNR's PFD Panda certificates to children.

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