Taking the whole family out on the water is a great way to use up what’s left of the year’s sunshine and heat, but it’s also inherently dangerous. Here’s what you should keep in mind before your next excursion.
Apply an Anti-Slip Coating
Boats get wet out on the water, and wet boats are slippy. They get particularly slippy when there are kids getting in and out of the water, not worrying too much about toweling off in between sessions on the tubing equipment.
For anyone of any age, this is dangerous – and it’s an easily overlooked danger, too. But, for kids distracted by sun and fun, a slippy boat accelerating on the water is a major accident just waiting to happen.
A durable boat paint isn’t just great for protecting your boat from UV damage, salt, sweetwater, and foot traffic – it’s also great for providing an anti-slip surface that makes the entire boat a safer place to be. Quick, simple, and cost-effective.
Know That Just Having Life Jackets isn’t Enough
Life jackets aren’t a one-size-fits-all phenomenon, and an ill-fitting life jacket on a child can prove disastrous if something does go wrong. It’s far better to invest the time and money upfront into getting the right size, than to find out the hard way.
Kids under the age of 13 are legally required to wear a life jacket on any moving vessel. That’s the federal law, but some states are even stricter, so make sure you’re up to date on your state’s requirements.
Foam-filled Type II or Type III jackets, and not inflatable ones, are the right choice for anyone under the age of 16.
Create Firm Rules on Dry Land
Boat safety isn’t the kind of thing you can be fun or wishy-washy about, no matter the occasion or how much fun the group is having together. Set the rules before the boat leaves the dock, or you’ll find your words going straight over their heads.
Most important: no running on the deck, one designated spot for kids when the boat is moving, no jumping in the water without supervision, and no dangling feet over the gunwale.
Sun Exposure Can Get On Top of You, Fast
Kids don’t have the same level of awareness for sun exposure as adults. When they’re playing on and in the water, they’re keeping cool enough that they don’t notice that constant exposure – or the detrimental effects starting to add up, including confusion and disorientation.
What’s more, the water acts as a powerful reflector, essentially amplifying the sun’s power and causing sunburns and sun exposure to become a problem much faster than you might expect it to.
Keep a cool, shaded area of the boat and make sure people are using it regularly. Cold drinks, fresh fruit, hats, sunblock, and rest are all important, however much fun everyone’s having.
