Boating is an activity that means fun for the whole family..including the little ones, so make sure the youngsters are prepared and educated on boating safety. Here is a list of tips from safekids.org to go over with the kiddos PRIOR to embarking on a family boating trip:
Boating Safety Tips When Taking Out Youngsters:
WEAR A LIFE JACKET [Inflatable arm floaties and animal-shaped rafts are not the same thing as a USCG-approved life jacket. Make sure the boat is equipped with enough life jackets for all passengers and wear your life jackets]
CHILDPROOF YOUR BOAT AND DEVELOP SOME BASIC RULES When you’re boating with kids, you have to be thorough and consistent with rules enforcement. [Keeping hands and feet in the boat and staying seated while in the boat are a few examples of rules.]
INFANT-APPROPRIATE LIFE JACKETS [According to the USCG’s Office of Boating Safety, babies should not be in boats until they are big enough to wear a USCG-approved life jacket. Also, once your little one is big enough to safely go boating, hold on to your baby rather than leaving them in a car seat, as if the boat were to capsize, the car seat would sink instantly.
LEARN FROM SAFETY PROFESSIONALS [Enroll yourself and the kids in a boating safety class. Sometimes hearing things from others in a formal setting makes more of an impact on kids than going over something at home during dinner.]
KEEP LITTLE KIDS WARM [Because little kids and babies are more susceptible to hypothermia, it is important that they stay warm. Bring extra dry towels, blankets, sweatshirts, etc.]
LEARN CPR [Regardless of how confident you are that your boating adventure will continue without a glitch, knowing CPR is one of the most important things you can do when preparing for a boat trip…even if it’s for peace of mind alone–as a parent, that is important. Check with your local hospital, fire department or recreation organization/establishment for upcoming CPR courses.]
CHECK YOUR BOAT’S CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR [As previously mentioned–click here–carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, but it is also preventable. A carbon monoxide detector on your boat can literally save your and your passengers’ lives, so make sure you test the detector prior to hitting the water every time.]
TEACH YOUR KIDS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN WATER AND POOLS [There aren’t riptides, undertoes or strong currents in swimming pools–make sure the kids realize that open water is not the same as being in a pool. Weather makes a huge difference on the water conditions while on open water, so make sure they are aware of the sky and their surroundings at all times.]
ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN SWIMMING LESSONS [Swimming lessons are an excellent way to familiarize your child with the water and to also teach them lifesaving water safety tips.]
