11 Best Tips for Beach Safety for Kids and Family Vacations

You are going to the beach, and you want to have the best vacation, right? Of course you do. I will give you a few easy beach safety tips so you and your family are well prepared. You can soak up the vitamin D and enjoy the ocean with confidence. Are you ready for this quick and easy beach safety guide? Let’s get started!

Beach Safety

11 Beach Safety Tips for Kids

So often, when we are at the beach, we see families with missing/wandering children. These kids, like so many others, get lost and then thankfully find themselves on the beach. Taking the necessary precautions and tips I’m sharing with you will ensure that you have a great vacation.

1. Before you get everyone out of the car, tell the kids the rules for setting up. For instance, “While mom and dad set up the umbrellas and chairs, you all can lay out the beach blanket, and there is NO running down to the water until we are ready.” This way, you don’t have children running straight for the ocean. It’s tough to set up everything while keeping your eyes on your kids.

2. Be smart and set up your spot right near the lifeguard chair. This way, the children have extra eyes on them while they are in the water.

3. When you have your spot set up, take the time to point out your umbrella. If other umbrellas are the same color, make sure you show your children landmarks that they can easily spot.

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4. Let your child know that if he can’t find you, no matter what, go straight to the lifeguard. Lifeguards can help a lot faster than wandering children.

5. Talk to your kids about currents and rip tides beforehand and again when you get there. Be aware of what a rip tide looks like and what it does. Make sure your child knows not to swim against a rip current; he will just get tired and carried out further.

These five things can be discussed in the first 10 minutes of arriving at the beach and can save a child’s life.

6. SUNSCREEN! I try to remember to put it on my children before we even get down to the beach, but if you forget, that’s okay. Just make sure you put it on before the children run off to play. Also, you should apply it every 2 hours, even the waterproof. Preferably, there should be no spray cans; they aren’t good for your children or the environment. It’s better to lather them up with a lotion. The sun is hot, and sunburn hurts. Not to mention, it’s terrible for their skin.

7. I vote for bright-colored rashguards. Boys and girls can rock cool-looking rashguards, which give their skin extra protection. The brighter colors are easier to spot in the ocean and, therefore, safer. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, rashguards are shirts made for water. They dry quickly and keep the sun away. They also guard your body while boogie boarding or surfing.

8. For my children, we have the buddy system. If one child needs to go to the bathroom (even though a parent goes), an older child needs to go too. I feel safer, especially since my boys now use a men’s bathroom. It would be perfect for you to have the buddy system, too. As a family, it’s great to have that added security.

9. Bring lots of water, keeping yourself and the children hydrated is so important.

10. Keep babies and animals out of the sun. If you take a baby to the beach, make sure you have proper gear (SPF canopy, tent, umbrella) and protective clothing to protect them. Babies have thinner skin and don’t regulate heat like adults do.

11. Remember that the sun is hottest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. So think of going out for the early morning hours, then heading in for lunch and a rest. Go back out around 3 for a few more hours; this way, you will have missed the hours when the sun is hottest. If you decide to stay out all day, just be aware that everyone needs more water and sunscreen during this time of day.

I hope these tips help you have a wonderful and safe vacation.