An impromptu stroll on a beautiful sandy beach makes for wonderful memories. But taking beach holidays with children requires a little more planning. Children’s safety must be a parent’s number one priority. To keep that family holiday from becoming a nightmare, it is important to remember a few basic guidelines to keep your children safe.
Choosing the right beach
Choose a beach that has a lifeguard on duty. Even experienced swimmers can get into trouble, and an errant rip current could easily take your child out to sea. A lifeguard does not mean you can leave your children unattended, but it helps lessen the likelihood of drowning by having an extra set of eyes watching out for you and your family. Regardless of a child’s swimming ability, closely supervise your child’s activity. It is especially important to always be close by children who can not swim.
For children who are adequate swimmers, keep them away from rocks, piers, or debris. Strong waves can easily crash a child into these obstructions and cause severe injuries. Be sure that he does not dive into the water without knowing how deep it is. Also, never turn your back to the ocean, especially if you are standing in the area where the waves break. Watch for waves that could knock your child over. Rogue waves, or sneaker waves are unusually large waves that occur unexpectedly and creates a drowning hazard. Watch for any changes in the water’s pattern and be within reach of children.
Pay attention to warning signs! Just because you might see people in the water does not mean it is safe to enter. Lifeguards post these signs to keep people safe, so please do not ignore them. Even if you don’t see posted signs, take a look at your surroundings before committing to the area. Excessively high waves, windy conditions, or dangerous sea life spotted in the water are all reasons not to let your child near the beach.
At the end of your day at the beach, wash your child off. Most public beach parks provide showers where you can rinse off the sand and salt – as well as other organisms that may have hitched a ride on your child’s bathing suit or beach toys. If you go to a beach that does not have showers nearby, bring a gallon of water per person to rinse with. Change your child into dry clothes as soon as possible to avoid catching a cold!
Pack for safety
Packing for beach holidays can get heavy. Children like to have fun toys to build sandcastles with and float in the water. Floating toys such as rafts, beach balls, or rings are great to bring to the beach, but these toys are not rescue devices. Make sure your child is wearing an approved life vest in the event he does get tossed by a wave.
In most instances, you will be enjoying your beach holiday in the bright sunshine. Keep your child protected from UV rays by applying sunscreen where ever there is exposed shin. Apply a high SPF sunscreen and do it often. Have a hat handy to keep your child’s tender head free from sunburn as well.
If you spend most of the day at the beach, have at least a liter of water available for drinking. The sun and salt can dehydrate your child. Take frequent water and snack breaks throughout the day to keep hydrated and energized. If your child appears weak or cranky, or experiences any cramping, place your child in a shady spot and rehydrate your child immediately. If these signs persist or other symptoms occur, seek medical treatment.
You may notice local beachgoers happily running barefoot along the beach. But your child’s feet are sensitive and should be covered appropriately to protect those little toes from extremely hot sand, sharp rocks or coral, or anything that could break the skin’s surface. Select a shoe that is specifically made to wear in water.
Beach holidays are meant to be fun and enjoyable experiences for everyone. With these simple safety tips, your family is well on the way to enjoying that much deserved day or two at the beach!