So summer is finally here and that (hopefully) means more time spent at the beach enjoying the sunshine and cooling off in the sea. Some of you may have already made the most of what the UK beaches have to offer and I definitely plan on a few staycations once schools break up for summer holidays. That being said, I thought it was the perfect time to discuss beach safety. Kids love exploring the beach, looking for crabs, collecting seashells or building sandcastles, and it’s great to see them out there having fun and making memories, but there is no denying that the beach is home to many potential hazards from the rapidly changing tides to the potential of losing sight of your children. Therefore keeping your kids safe at the beach should be a top priority and hopefully these simple tips will allow you to be safe while still having fun.

Water wings

Whether your child is a good swimmer or not, when you’re hitting the beach, it’s a good idea to pack a set of water wings or arm bands for each child just so they can have that extra level of protection. You just never know when the weather is going to take a turn for the worse or the riptides are going to come along and pull you all further out to sea, so having water wings on is a great way to help the kids if they get into trouble. They are comfortable and the cute prints make them something children actually want to wear.

Avoid other inflatables

That being said, it’s probably a good idea to keep other inflatables like rubber rings and lilos away from the beach. Why? Because it’s really easy for them to be carried out to sea on a strong current or if the wind picks up. That is really the last thing you want to happen, so keep big inflatables to pools only.

Monitor them

This one might seem simple but it is easy to lose sight of them. Losing sight of your child at the beach is one of the scariest things you can ever encounter as a parent, therefore keeping them close by is a must. However if your child is old enough to have a smartphone and a little more independence, then you might want to invest in a waterproof case and have your child keep it on them instead of leaving it at home. You can also take it a step further by using monitoring software, which you can read about here in a guide by Family Orbit, to keep track of them. It might sound a bit much, but if you are unable to get through to them via a telephone call at least you will be able to quickly pinpoint their location and track them down.

Watch out for jellyfish

Jellyfish are really common on UK beaches, so it is important that you know how to spot them, and you teach your kids how to spot them too. To be honest I have mainly seen dead ones but they can still cause stings. It is also important that you teach the kids to stay calm if there is a jellyfish nearby, slowly moving away from the potential threat.

If they do get stung, then it is important that you don’t rub the affected area, as that will just make it worse,  but seek medical advice as soon as possible, Oh, and peeing on the sting won’t really help, so you can skip that too.

Get to know beach flags

Beach flags can tell you a whole lot about the safety of the beach you’re on, and what you should and should not do, so knowing them ultimately will help to keep you all safe. For example, a red flag means no swimming is permitted at all, and an orange windsock means the wind conditions are dangerous. These are just two examples - you should learn all of the flag signals before you head off for a fun family day at the beach as simple but deadly mistakes can easily be made.

Water and sunscreen

It should go without saying but if you are heading off to the beach with the kids, pack plenty of sunscreen and enough water to last you all all day, especially if there are no shops nearby where you can get a cool drink. Probably the biggest threats to kids on the beach are dehydration and sunburn or heatstroke, so this really is one of the most important things you need to do. It's a good idea to freeze some bottles of water or drink the night before and to take a cooler bag with you that way your liquids will stay cool all day long.

Spend some time in the shade

Spending some time in the shade at the hottest times of the day, in summer,  will help to prevent sunburn and sunstroke, so be sure to take some time out to find a shady spot or take along your own parasols to help keep you cool and keep the fun going. And of course try wearing a wide brimmed hat that keeps their eyes and neck shaded is a must.

Constant supervision

To be honest, probably the best way to keep your kids safe at the beach is to ensure that someone always has eyes on them. It only takes a second for them to wander off or for a wave to sweep your child under, so it’s important that you always have to eyes on them when they are on the beach.

Don’t let the potential dangers put you off visiting the beach - accidents are rare - and the beach is a great place to let off steam, just be careful! Some of my favourite memories have been made on the beach, the kids just seem to love the sun, sea and sand and I can see why, the combination of the warmth from the sun and the sound of the water is the ultimate relaxation treat!

Amina xx