Before you head out to the waves, make sure that you have everything that you need. Although this list may not be 100% complete for every family, it’s a good starting point for most people. Sunscreen Hats Sunglasses Bathing Suits Snacks/Food Water/Drinks Plastic Bags (for collecting garbage and other trinkets) Beach Blanket Umbrella Sandals Medication (if necessary) First Aid Kit Beach Toys Bug...
Jumping in the waves and swimming in the ocean are so much fun! Here are some tips to help keep your aqua-play safe. Rip Tides You may have heard of this potentially life-threatening issue if you’ve been to the ocean before. A rip tide is a current that pulls you away from the shore. It’s much too strong to swim against, and it can be both scary and deadly if you don’t know what to do....
According to an article in Parents magazine, "every 40 seconds in the United States, a child becomes missing or is abducted." According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (citing U.S. Department of Justice reports), nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year. That's more than 2,000 a day. The NCMEC says 203,000 children are kidnapped each year by family...
Although the sand and surf are usually places to have a good time, that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily safe. Since you are in nature, there are tons of elements that are beyond your control. As such, it’s crucial that you plan accordingly so that you and your family stay safe both in and out of the water. We’ll talk about ocean hazards in a future post, but right now let’s focus on...
Too many of us don’t think about the fact that the sun can do irreparable damage to our skin. Skin cancer is a continuous threat, and not something that you should take lightly. Protecting both yourself and your kids should be a priority for you, so it’s imperative that you keep these tips in mind when you’re out on the sand. Sunburns Happen Anytime: Whether it’s in the morning or early evening,...
Spending time on the road can be taxing for a lot of people, mainly because you’re cooped up in a confined space for hours on end. If you want to avoid a lot of the stress that comes with extended travel time, then follow these tips. Stop and Stretch Regularly: Try not to go more than three or four hours without stopping. Even just a quick pit stop will allow you to re-energize yourself and get...
For most families, going to the beach is a fun and relaxing way to spend your time. Whether you’re going for the day or taking a vacation against the sand and surf, the beach can be both rewarding and exciting. However, just because there are a lot of great things to do there, doesn’t mean that it’s without any possible downsides. From getting swept away by the ocean to getting a nasty sunburn,...
We want to finish out our Travel Safety Series with a quick tip about insurance. Getting your car and yourself ready for a vacation should involve more than just packing a bag and filling the tank. Do you know what will be covered if something happens along the way? What if you get into an accident in another state or country? What about your home while you’re gone? Do you have traveler's...
Spending more time with your family is one reason to take a long vacation together, but having little ones in tow can be challenging, to say the least. Even if you’ve taken your toddler on trips before, he or she can still have a hard time with the changes to his or her daily routine. As such, you want to keep these considerations in mind. Plan for extra accommodations. When going over your...
No matter where you’re headed, chances are that you’ll be staying in a hotel for the night. Whether it’s a four-star resort or a motel on the side of the highway, it’s imperative that you keep you and your family safe during your visit. For the most part, hotels are secure and provide peace of mind, but that doesn’t mean that you should get too complacent. Usually, the problems that arise at...
