When preparing for a beach holiday, you’ve no doubt started thinking about which bikini to pack, getting stocked up on sun cream and about all the sand castles you’re going to attempt to build with the kids.
Whether you’re staying in the UK or heading further afield, making the most of your fun in the sun will be great for the whole family. We’ve put some tips together for how you can do just that whilst keeping everyone safe, too.
Ensure you have a good quality sun cream
There has always been a debate regarding sun cream and how much you and your family should use and which factor to go for, for which skin type, etc. There is a good guide that tells you all you need to know on the NHS website and provides some tips for looking after your skin if you get burnt, too. When travelling with very little ones, be sure to get them their own sun cream as their skin will be a lot more sensitive and vulnerable than yours. You can pick up baby sun cream in most stores nowadays or online, too. Be sure to reapply sun cream after the little ones have been in the sea, too, as the water acts like a giant magnifying glass that magnifies the sun’s UV rays.
Pay attention to flags and lifeguard warnings
Depending on the country you go to, there will be different restrictions and rules regarding flags indicating when you can and cannot swim, and where. The three that are the most common are the green flag which means low hazard and that it’s safe to swim; the yellow flag means medium hazard and you should remain near the shore; and the red flag means high hazard, and you shouldn’t swim at all when there’s a red flag flying. Ensure your little ones understand the importance of following these rules put in place by experts with their best interests at heart, and the fact that they should always be taken seriously.
Take lots of food and water with you
In particularly hot weather, it’s really important to keep yourself and your loved ones hydrated and well fuelled with a good supply of refreshments. Take a big water cooler filled with supplies such as bottles of water and snacks. This is not only great for your family’s health but for your bank account also, as shops and cafes near to beaches can be significantly pricier than supermarkets.
Take regular breaks from the sun
Tearing your little ones away from the sun shine may be quite a difficult task, but it’s really important that they have lots of breaks from the sun and have some time in the shade. Whether it’s heading back to your apartment that’s nice and near the beach, like Pontins at Southport, or just sitting under a parasol and having some nice chilled out time, make sure the breaks are regular to avoid anyone from overheating and getting poorly.
Photo credits: FlickrCC/beach, FlickrCC/flag
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