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Boating Safety This Summer

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We are a BRITAX Latina Advisory Board Member and Blogger and are excited to spread the word on child safety via Britax amazing products .All opinions, ideas, and stories are our own
The Britax Hispanic Digital and Social Media Outreach is in partnership with Mami Innovative Media

Summer is definitively synonym of water for us. The pool, water play, car washing, beach going and inventing all sorts of games that involve getting wet are on the itinerary every summer weekend.

This also includes a lot, a lot of rain in South Florida, and this is the only time we strive to keep dry because Florida is also lightning abundant!

Despite the crazy amount of rain that downpours on us each summer, we do get so many boat days in, it is an implicit competition with the God of thunderstorms in the race to beat him out of the rainy days 🙂
That said. Please do not go boating without checking the weather. Definitively storms are not the time to be on open waters. Much less with little ones.

Because parents are always concerned about our little one’s safety while traveling out and about, we have Britax car seats for them. That gets them truly covered, safe and comfortable. But, what should we consider while on a boat?

Here are some boating tips to keep in mind when out on water with little ones:

  • 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 the child.  The best way to determine this is to have the child raise up their arms as if making a “touchdown” sign when wearing the jacket.  If the jacket reached 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 on 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 they accidentally fall over at the dock
  • Make sure all toys, towels, etc. are stowed away neatly so they don’t fly away, and potentially become harmful projectiles, or buckets lying around that could make someone trip over.
  • Don’t forget plenty of sunscreen.  This can also be done at the parking lot
  • 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.
  • Have everyone sit before starting the boat so no one blocks the drivers view or loose their balance.

If you plan to jump in the water, make sure to explain to the children that swimming in open water is very different to swimming in a pool.  They need to be aware of uneven surface, and the fact that there is always a current present.  The best setting is enjoying the water is swim designated areas.
Also, tell kids not to dive into the water because the depth of the water is unknown as well as rocks and other hidden objects that might harm them upon entry to the water.

Water, water, water calls for brushing up on swimming skills, or making sure all the munchkins around us know how to swim, so we all can truly enjoy the splashing safely.

Happy and safe summer everyone!


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  1. Jessica Harlow says

    This is a really good reminder of some of the essential boat safety rules with kids! With summer weather everyone is out and about on the water and should remember these tips! Thanks for sharing!

  2. mail4rosey says

    Excellent tips and perfect timing! I used to live in south FL., and I miss water/beach activities year-round. 🙂 It’s summer up north now though, so we’ll be boating soon too. 🙂

  3. Momma Lew says

    We love boating & fishing, but have never been with the kids yet. We’ve been talking about it for this summer, so this is very useful!

  4. Momma Lew says

    We love to go boating, but haven’t with the kids yet. This is really useful, b/c we’ve been talking about trying this summer.

  5. MikiHope says

    Very good advise for those of you with kids who go boating! Life jackets are a must–you never know what mishap may occur especially with fearless young children! Sunscreen on a boat is a MUST-my worst ever sunburn came when I was out rowing a boat in a lake—-imagine what the sun and wind can do in open waters. Do teach your little ones to swim or at the very least float on their backs!!

  13. Patricia Woolverton says

    Great tips on boating!! I prefer to stay on land but I do know many people that enjoy boating.

  16. Cristina says

    Es una de las actividades que más me gusta del verano. Nada más relajante que un paseo en bote, eso sí, tomando todas las precauciones que acabas de mencionar.

  19. Melinda Dunne says

    I don’t see many people put their kids in special seats on boats that is a great tip that many could use! I am very would never have a child in a boat without a life vest. I think that is essential.

  20. jheylo says

    Great information and reminders. We don’t go boating but for those who does they should remember it’s safety.

  21. Reina Ri says

    Ahora que vivimos en Florida hay algunos sitios donde se puede disfrutar de paseos en bote, muchas gracias por los tips ! saludos

  23. Lennie says

    So great advices! Nunca he llevado a mis hijos en bote pero de hacerlo algún día tomaré estas precauciones.

  26. Bless says

    You mentioned great tips for boat safety during this season. I just heard on the news in our local tv station this morning about an incident of boat fire in the marina and there were other boats on fire as well. Good thing the two person that was in that accident is now in good condition.

  33. nova hedges says

    Like you i love to be in the water. It’s way more fun to be in the water right? but we should be safe too and watch for the precautions to enjoy the fun ride even more.

  34. Romina MamáXXI says

    Me encanta el agua, es tan relax!!! Muchas gracias por los tips!

  42. Stefani McCune says

    We love spending time in the pool and at the beach during the summer. Thank you for sharing your boat safety tips too. Happy boating!

  43. Pam Schmidt says

    Boating safety is so important. I am happy you highlighted the ways parents can ensure children are secure while boating.