Three Maine moms create lifesaving neon kids' swimwear line

When you are driving in the dark or in the middle of the day and you see a worker on the road, that worker tends to be wearing a neon vest. Why? Because they stand out!

That's the focus of a new line of swimwear recently created by three Maine mothers who want kids to be visible in and around lakes, ponds, rivers and the ocean.

Many adults tend to be on edge with little ones around water -- that's where Mary, Brittany and Miranda come in.

"Last summer, when my daughter ran off at the beach and I came home, I started just researching patterns what materials I needed ... I borrowed my mother-in-law's regular sewing machine and I just did it," said Hiviz Swimwear founder Mary Estees.

With the brightest neon colors she could find, Estees started making rashguards for kids.

It was the first time she had tried sewing since the eighth grade.

"[It's] dedication I guess, when you want something for your kids and you gotta make it," Estees said.

Cofounders Brittany and Miranda said they quickly became part of the project, not just for their children, but to help protect other kids in the state.

"I have three young kids, I have three [ages] three and under, and our biggest fear is losing a kid to drowning or having my kid wander off on me," Brittany said. "I have two autistic twins, and one likes to wander."

The rashguards, which also offer sun protection, are made for children from 12 months to 12 years, but the focus right now is the most at-risk ages, or kids up to 4.

"I also know that if, for whatever reason, I wasn't going to be able to find my children, someone else most definitely would," said Miranda. "We feel very strongly about the visibility of neon, it can absolutely provide precious seconds in an event of an emergency. [In] 30 seconds or less a child can drown."

Due to their success and high product demand, the ladies created a Kickstarter campaign where customers can pre-purchase a rashguard for $25.