What to Keep in Mind when Taking your Children to the Beach?

Summer is the time when every family heads out to the beach with kids and pets in tow to frolic in the warm soothing waters. However, you have to follow certain safety rules to prevent a fun day out from turning tragic. Here’s a list of a few things you need to bring along or keep in mind when taking your children to the beach.

Beach Cover Ups

Though cover ups worn over swimsuits are mostly associated with women, kids beach cover ups are intended for both boys and girls. While for boys options are mostly limited to a vest or shirt and full length pants or capris, little girls can choose from baby doll dresses, maxi dresses and tunics to tees, cover up pants, boyfriend shirts and kaftan style cover ups.

Kids beach cover ups help to protect their modesty when they are not frolicking in the water and also protect their delicate skin from the sun when they are playing on the beach. They also prevent sun burns.

Hooded Beach Towels

When it is time to go home or head for the hotel, it can be difficult pulling your kids out of the water. Interestingly shaped hooded beach towels in super soft fabrics and a riot of colours may entice your kids to get out of the water and dry off.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens are a must for your kids if you are heading out to the beach. You don’t really have to purchase a super expensive children’s sunscreen with an SPF of 100+. Rather choose a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection from both UVB and UVA rays. An SPF of 30 to 50 is more than sufficient. What is more necessary is to reapply the sun screen on your child’s skin every two to three hours. Rub or spray liberal amounts to get the best protection.

Because your kids will be splashing around in the water, it is wiser to go for water resistant sunscreens that will stay put both in the saline water and perspiration. A fragrance free and hypoallergenic sunscreen in the continuous spray or lotion/gel form is the perfect solution for young sensitive skins.

A Few Safety Tips

If you are heading to the beach with your kids in the summer, all of you need to dress light, drink sufficient water from time to time to stay hydrated and use umbrellas for your kids. If your kids are playing on the beach, ask them to take frequent rest breaks in a shady area. If it is way too hot, hit the beach at dawn or dusk and avoid the harsh sun rays from 10 in the morning to late afternoon.

Explain the concept of rip currents to your kids. Teach them how to swim parallel to the shore to get out of the grasps of dangerous rip currents. Always choose a spot on the beach that is guarded by lifeguards and keep an eye on your kids at all times. Always accompany your kids in the water and never allow them to swim alone. Check the warnings or flags and the weather before allowing your kids into the water.