Pretty much winter, spring, fall and summer are all great seasons for boating in South Florida. Going out on the water is tons of fun. Our water babies are always the happiest when we take the boat for a spin. When you go out boating, don’t have a bad scare and use our tips to ensure a great safe family outing when you do. Here are our Family Boating Safety Tips
The Joy Of Family Boating
There is nothing like being out on the water for us. Luckily, we can practically do it all year round. The pool, water play, car washing, beach going and inventing all sorts of games that involve getting wet are on the itinerary every basically every weekend. By the way, don’t miss these tips on how to throw a pool party on a budget!
Whether you plan on an awesome pool party, just dipping your toes or chilling as you float your days away on the water, you are going to enjoy it. Why not have all that and a boat ride? Because as much as just water fun is, well fun, there really is nothing like going out on a boat together. Plus think about it. You can get all the water fun and amplify the coolness of it all if you throw a boat into the mix. The breeze, the smells, the chance to drive the open waters. Oh yes, my inner pirate can’t wait to come out and snorkel or dive with the kids!
There is so much nature to appreciate and so much to learn when you are out on the water. Great learning fun for the little ones.
Additionally, boating makes for an awesome getaway. It makes you feel on vacation and come back home as if you traveled the world. It is an amazing family travel if you ask me! Can you say wanderlust?
Does Everyone Know How to Swim?
Part of having an incredible time out on a boat is coming back with happy memories and zero mishaps. Safety is paramount to ensure a good time. So, first things first. Do your kids know how to swim? That is probably the most important tip of them all. Regardless of your water activity, please make sure your kids know how to swim. Don’t have a pool? Don’t live near the ocean? It doesn’t matter. Teach your kids to swim. It is a lifelong skill that you will give them. Plus it is a survival tool that will never fail.
Family Boating Safety Tips
There a few simple things that will help ensure everyone’s safety. Going out on a boat is for the entire family, so these tips (including, learn to swim) are for everyone. Not just the little ones.
Here are our Family Boating Safety Tips:
- First and foremost make sure kids are wearing a life jacket. Not any jacket will do, make sure the jacket is appropriate for the size of each child. The best way to determine the right size is to have the child raise up their arms as if making a “touchdown” sign when wearing the jacket. If the jacket reaches the chin or ears it might be a size too big for them. The idea is for the life vest to fit snugly.
- If you have an infant on board it is not a good idea to have them strapped in a car seat or anything else. The best alternative is for you to hold them tight while you wear a life jacket.
- A good idea is to put the lifejackets on before getting on the boat in case anyone accidentally falls over at the dock.
- Make sure all toys, towels, food, bags, etc. are stowed away neatly so they don’t fly away, and potentially become harmful projectiles. Buckets lying around could make someone trip over.
- Do use plenty of sunscreen. This can also be done at the parking lot before you depart. Don’t forget to reapply often!
- Let the kids know that arms, legs, and heads must be inside the boat at all times.
- Prohibit running on the boat and sitting on the rails. Everything tends to be a bit slippery on a boat.
- Have everyone sit down before starting the boat so no one blocks the driver’s view or loses their balance.
- Check the weather before you head out. Be prepared. Remember you can always reschedule your outing if it looks a bit nasty out there.
Swimming In the Ocean
A few final considerations. If you plan to jump in the water, make sure to explain to the children that swimming in open water is very different from swimming in a pool.
- Everyone needs to be aware of the uneven surface.
- Also, keep in mind that there is always a current present.
- Some areas have swim designated areas. Prefer those always.
- Tell the kids not to dive into the water because the depth of the water is unknown. Furthermore, there might be rocks and other hidden objects that might harm them upon entry to the water.
Can you hear it? The water is calling! Get the Family Boating Safety Tips in order and be ready to ahoy matey!
If you have additional tips please share them in the comments below. Or tell us which tip you hadn’t thought about before.
Need bag ideas to carry all your boat style in? Get our beach bag guide!
Happy and safe boating everyone!
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Romina Tibytt says
OMG! I would love to have a boat experience with my family! Great tips to have in mind!
Brenda Cisneros says
Great tips! This is a great activity to spend time with the family.
Myrah Duque says
We love to go boating. It’s so relaxing and a great way to spend a day. These are very valuable tips. We need to get new lifejackets, thanks for the link.