How to keep the kids safe at the beach
Taking the children to the beach is a great way for everyone to top up on the vitamin D, splash about in the sea and generally have some fun in the sun. Whilst we don't want to ruin the excitement and anticipation of donkey rides, ice-cream and hot dog leg Instagram posts, there are some things you can do to make sure your family day out goes off without a hitch.
Below are our top tips to having a safe and fun day by the water...
1. Safety first
- Try and use a lifeguarded beach, and when you do track down and set up the parasol and wind break near the lifeguard station. This means you have help on hand should you need it. The RNLI manages 1,500 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and you can find your nearest beach here.
- Find a landmark near you that can easily be spotted from a distance. This minimises the chances of anyone getting lost or disorientated on a busy beach. It can also be used as a meeting point should anyone get separated or lost.
- Some beaches run a safety scheme using wristbands or tickets. They’re free and successful. Speak to the lifeguards on the beach for more details.
- Make sure children are aware of the lifeguards / lifeguard hut as a safe spot they can go to if separated
- Make sure you have some form of a medical kit with you just in case - bandages, plasters, antibiotic cream, even insect repellent etc
2. Check the signs
- Nearly all beaches will have safety signs and / or flags to highlight things you should be aware of with the water and the beach. Find and read these carefully and correctly to make sure you don't do anything unintentionally dangerous. You can read more about beach flags here.
3. Protect and hydrate
- You can never have too much suncream on the beach to protect sensitive skin from over exposure and possible painful burns. Child's skin is even more sensitive than adults so make sure they have this reapplied regularly and especially after they've come out of the water.
- All the running about and playing in the sun will be thirsty work so encourage your kids to drink throughout the day. Water is best as sugary drinks can dehydrate them even more
4. Wear a life jacket
- Putting a life jacket on your child / children is a no brainer when they're playing near water. With features such as self righting and head support, they could be critical to saving your child's life in a water based accident.
- A brightly coloured life jacket can also be used to spot your child on the beach should they walk off. View our children lifejackets here
5. Rock the Crocs
- Shoe's that can be worn on the beach and in the water are the perfect way to protect sensitive feet from hot sand, sharp objects and jagged stones. You never know what might be buried in the sand or hidden under the water so these are an easy way to prevent injury.
About Tornado Lifejackets
Tornado Lifejackets are passionate about safety on the water and we want you to enjoy your activities with peace of mind. We therefore sell quality jackets that are affordable and accessible for adults and children. Our lifejackets are all from Europe's largest manufacturers complying to the highest standards for safety include ISO accreditation and CE approval. Our knowledgable team of experts are always on hand to answer any water safety questions you may have.