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Beach Safety Tips for Children

The beach on Oak Island offers parents a fun and safe atmosphere for your children. While there are no cars and nowhere to get lost on the beach, you still must take some precautions to keep them safe throughout your vacation. We’ve included some important tips below to avoid dangers when swimming and playing under the sun.

Two very important hazards to prepare for are sunburn and heatstroke. Sunburn is one of the most common issues when visiting the beach and one of the easiest to avoid. Children have sensitive skin that is easily burned by the harsh rays of the sun. In fact, little ones can get sunburn in mere minutes when their unprotected skin is exposed to the sun. Be sure to frequently apply waterproof sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 when they’re outdoors, or keep them dressed in light colored clothes to prevent sunburns.

If he or she does get a sunburn, it is a good idea to apply an after-sun lotion with aloe. This will cool their skin and make the sunburn heal faster. With more than a million cases this year, skin cancer is still the most common form of cancer. Also, try to keep sunglasses on kids whenever possible; UV rays not only burn your skin but can also easily damage your eyes.

Children also run the risk of getting heatstroke or heat exhaustion when playing all day in the hot sun. Symptoms of heatstroke include nausea, dizziness, headache and muscle weakness and cramps. Try and keep them in the shade during the hottest and most dangerous hours of the day for sun exposure, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and keep them hydrated with an hourly water break. If children have hot, dry skin, are vomiting, have trouble breathing or lose consciousness get medical help right away.

While your feet often are exfoliated while walking on the sand, please be aware of sharp rocks, sea shells and other objects along the shore and in tide pools. Bare feet can easily get cut and then exposed to bacteria, so be sure they wear shoes when you’re in a rough area of beach.

When swimming in the ocean, make sure your children wear life vests and are watched at all times. It’s also important to be aware of swimming dangers, such as an undertow, rip current or sea creatures. Pay attention to surf warnings and teach your children what to do in case they ever get caught in an undertow or rip current. If you find yourself caught in a rip current don’t panic or try to fight the currents. Swim parallel to the shore and you’ll be able to swim past the area affected by the current. If you fight the current and try to swim directly to the shore, you might wear yourself down and risk drowning.

Jellyfish, sea anemones and corals are beautiful parts of nature, but can leave a painful sting if they’re accidentally stepped on or touched. If your child is stung, rinse the affected area with isopropyl alcohol, white vinegar or seawater (human urine will work if you have nothing else on hand). If there are any remaining stingers, lift them off as scraping causes further stings. Do not rub the area or rinse with fresh water or tap water because it will release more toxins and worsen the reaction. Acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen will help ease pain, and antihistamines such as Benadryl can relieve itching and swelling. If symptoms are severe, or if signs of anaphylactic reaction are present, seek medical help immediately.

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