Boating is a fantastic way to create lasting memories with family and explore the beauty of lakes, rivers and oceans. However, ensuring the safety of your little ones while they enjoy the water is paramount.
How to Keep Kids Safe on a Boat
Ensuring boat safety for kids involves more than keeping an eye on them. Here are our top tips for child boat safety:
- Cover emergency procedures: Familiarize your children with basic emergency procedures in a fun and engaging way. Teach them how to use the radio, where you store life jackets and what to do in case they unexpectedly find themselves in the water.
- Always wear a life vest: Every child on board should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest at all times. Make sure the vest fits snuggly. Life vests are a nonnegotiable part of basic boating safety, and they provide a critical layer of protection in case of emergencies.
- Stay seated away from the edges: Encourage your kids to stay seated while the boat is in motion and to avoid leaning over the edges. This reduces the risk of accidental falls overboard or injuries from sudden boat movements.
- Avoid swimming near the motor: Teach your children about the dangers of swimming near a boat’s motor. Even when turned off, the propeller can pose a serious hazard. Establish clear swimming boundaries around the boat to keep everyone safe.
- Apply sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen generously to your kids and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or sweating. You can also dress your children in sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses to shield them from harmful UV rays.
- Discuss boundaries and safety rules: Discuss safety boundaries with your children and other passengers. Make sure everyone knows the boat’s rules, such as not running on the deck and keeping hands and feet inside the boat at all times.
Create a Safer Boating Experience With EZ Docks
Keeping your kids safe on a boat is all about preparation and the right equipment. At EZ Docks, we offer a variety of products designed to make your boating experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. From floating dock systems with nonslip surfaces to secure gangways and boat lifts, our solutions are designed with your family in mind.
Contact us today to learn more about how EZ Docks can help you create a safer and more enjoyable waterfront.
