Mom-agination: It’s Beach Time! Easy and Creative Safety Tips for On-the-Go Fun Families

You’re trekking over what seems like miles of unforgiving sandy terrain, hauling pounds of gear and apparatus, your arms start to tremble from the strain, your knees begin to buckle, your voice is hoarse from yelling at the kids to slow down and then…you see it. The perfect patch of sand that is not too close to the water, not to close to other people. You call to the rest of the family with undue excitement, “This is our spot! Drop everything here!” Blankets, umbrellas, coolers, beach bags, shoes, shirts all tumble into a pile and everybody bolts to the water. But, wait. You’ve not only missed your chance to slather everybody with sunscreen, you’ve missed your best opportunity to stress to your kids that in the event that can’t find you, they should look for your stuff, head there and stay put. In the myriad of supplies that you’ve toted, you should bring items that will easily distinguish your area from the hundreds of other sunbathers on the beach. Here is a list of very visible markers to choose from to mark your spot:

· Pick a spot near a lifeguard tower. This serves as a visible landmark as well as keeps you close to help, if needed.

· Choose a bright-colored beach blanket with distinctive markings. Or, instead of a beach blanket, use a Queen sized flat sheet. They’re lighter to carry, easier to clean, and bigger than most beach blankets. Also, distinctive, bright colored designs are easy to find on a flat sheet (we bring along my daughter’s old Hello Kitty sheet – the brilliant pink kitty faces are easy to see and the only one on the beach!)

· Select a florescent orange umbrella with a happy face hand-painted on it (this is my family’s favorite – as the kids painted the umbrella themselves, they always remember to look for it)

· If you choose to lighten your load and rent an umbrella at a nearby beach store, tote along a thick ribbon and tie it to the top of the umbrella. Or throw your garish tee shirt with the dizzying logo over the top. This will distinguish your umbrella from the dozens of others just like it.

· Tote along a bright-colored beach chair with a flag affixed to the back (gives it height to ensure it can be seen from a distance over other chairs and people).

· Large, freestanding pinwheels can be found at any garden center and will distinctively mark your spot as well as entertain toddlers.

· For rented beach chairs, drape a florescent towel over the back for visibility

· When not using them, prop your boogie board or surf board up so that it can be seen from a distance

· Wagons – When my kids were toddlers, I found it convenient to stuff swim diapers, extra clothes, toys, bottles, snacks, juices, etc., etc., into our red plastic wagon that seated two kids comfortably and came equipped with cup holders, seat storage and foot rests. You know these modern-day versions of the little red wagon we had as kids – the Lexus models of today compared with the ancient models of our youth. While the wagons are nifty for transporting kids and apparatus, they also serve another useful purpose – they are visible. When you’ve emptied everything out, prop the handle upright and drape a bright-colored towel over it. You’ve made yourself a flag that can be easily spotted.

· Strollers – For smaller children, it’s sometimes easiest to tote them along for a day of beach fun in their strollers where they can readily be shielded from the sun and take naps comfortably. If you’ve gone to the immense effort of dragging a set of stroller wheels (bending and locking every few seconds) through rugged, rocky sand, use it to mark your spot. Tie a red scarf, handkerchief or towel around the handle and let it flap in the wind.

· Toboggan or plastic snow sled – These may look unusual on the beach but are so much easier to cart stuff over sand than anything with wheels. Toddlers are also eager to jump aboard, keeping them from running off as you deal with getting set up. In addition, the plastic surface can be easily rid of sand for a non-gritty place to play or snack.