This weekend’s InvestigateTV+ episode leads with a story that hits close to home for anyone raising or helping raise little ones near the water. National Investigative Reporter Caresse Jackman examines wearable floaties marketed as learn-to-swim aids for toddlers. Some carry “Coast Guard approved” language, but a mother who lost her son a decade ago, along with researchers, warns these products can create a false sense of safety once they come off. The report also looks at gaps in federal oversight as advocates push for clearer warnings and stronger standards.
The episode doesn’t stop there. A separate investigation covers retailers who inflate “original” prices to manufacture discounts that were never real. Those tactics violate FTC regulations, yet the federal government rarely steps in. And Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa’s Watching Your Wallet segment breaks down Social Security timing, including when to claim early, when to hold off, and how married couples can coordinate their strategy.
Here on the Suncoast, water safety is part of daily life, from backyard pools to the Gulf, so questions about floaty claims matter to our community. Catch InvestigateTV+ Weekend on our station, and check the full story at the link below. Have you ever relied on floaties for your kids or grandkids? Tell us your experience in the comments.
