How to Keep Kids Safe on the Beach

As you know, some beaches have sandy ocean buttons while others have some rocky bottoms. Some beaches are calm or have more gradual drop-offs while others have strong ocean currents or steep drop-offs. And don’t forget that the ocean conditions can also change from day to day – a beach that was very calm one day can be totally different another day, with large waves and strong currents.

With that said, it’s very important that you pick a location that suits your family’s swimming abilities. For young children or kids who are not strong swimmers, it’s smart to choose a beach with a large sandy beach area and a sandy ocean bottom.

Before you take your children to the beach, make sure that they have life jackets. What does a swim vest do? When children wear their life jackets properly, the growing risk decrease considerably. Life jackets act as a shield when your children are fighting the waves of oceans.

Nowadays, you can find a wide range of swim vests that are both safe and comfortable. But aside from looking for vests that combine comfort and have suitable safety certifications, you’ll also want to pick a life jacket that fits your child’s size and weight. Not all children life jackets are made the same, so you need to make sure you get the right one, whether for an infant, child or big kid vest, as this will make a difference in terms of the weight supported, fit and features.

For young children, you’ll also want to look for swim vests that feature a loop at the back of the neck and a strap between the legs. These features means, if you have to lift your child out of the water using the neck loop, the leg strap will ensure he/she won’t slip out.

When it comes to design, there are two different ones to choose from: inherently buoyant and hybrid. While inflatable life jackets are also available, they aren’t approved for children under the age of 16. Inherently buoyant life jackets are made of floatable foam and neoprene. They are durable, requires little maintenance and need no action from the wearer to work.

Hybrid life jackets are made with a combination of buoyant material and an inflatable chamber. Although these vests are available in child sizes, they require frequent maintenance checks. However, as they are less bulky, they are more comfortable to wear for extended periods on the water.

This may seem obvious, but beaches are full of distraction, especially when they are crowded. Plus, you may think your older child will be fine on the surfboard and not watch him/her as closely. Always remember that anyone (even adults) can get pulled away from shore by a big wave that comes unexpectedly or by a rip current.

So, make sure you or an adult actively watch the kids on the beach. Actively watching means not looking at a cell phone or reading a book but continuously watching the kids.

Keeping your children hydrated is more important than you may think. Even when surrounded or immersed in water while swimming, they still need to get proper water intake. Hydrated children will do much better under scorching heat and performing water activities, so make sure to pack a cooler with water and have then drink it throughout the day.

And make sure to reapply sunscreens throughout the day. While there are different ways to protect yourself from the sun, wearing sunscreen is one of the most effective. Remember to reapply every couple of hours or after playing in the water. The sunscreen should be applied 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun or water. That is because the skin needs time to absorb the sunscreen for it to be effective. This also applies to cloudy days. Did you know that up to 80% of the sun’s rays can pass through clouds? So, if you have thought that is okay to forgo protection on a cloudy day, you were wrong. No matter the weather, make sure you apply and reapply sunscreen while on the beach.

Consider using a waterproof, broad-spectrum natural sun protection product that’s at least 30 SPF. Natural sun protection products are zinc mineral-based. Mineral zinc oxide is the active ingredient that sits on top of the skin, forming a protective barrier to reflect the suns rays away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are formulated to absorb into the skin, which means the suns harmful rays are also absorbed. In addition to being safe for you and the family, zinc mineral natural sun protection products are also safer for the environment. Chemical-based sunscreens have been found to beach coral reefs. Natural sunscreens are known to be reef safe.

When choosing a natural sunscreen, there are many different options to consider. There are different formulations for children, body and face, sensitive skin, etc. Do your research to find out which one is right for you.