24 tips to make a trip to the beach safer.

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When summer and the school holidays approach, the beaches seem to have become almost obligatory destinations for those of us who are looking for a good time in a relaxed atmosphere outside of our normal routine. However, travelling with the family and trying to have fun at the same time is not always the easiest of tasks. It can take a lot of research and planning, and we and don’t always know where we should start.

 

So, you’re making plans to travel to the beach with your family? Are you worried that you may not be able to arrange to enjoy your trip with both the maximum of comfort and of safety?

 

Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this post we have tried to gather together all the basic information you will need to know to have a reliable, safe and quality trip. Check it out!

 

Planning your trip to the beach.

A good and enjoyable holiday always starts by being well organised! If you’re a person who enjoys making plans, then you’re already ahead of the game in that respect. With this task, as with many things, planning is the first step to success.

 

Allocate some time.

When you decide to travel, it is important put a little time aside, either on a daily or a weekly basis (as and when you have it available, until the completion of the trip), which you are able to devote to planning. Take a notepad and a pen or open a file in your computer and get to work! This will be the first step in building your own travel guide.

 

Do some research.

To choose the right place to spend your holiday time and ensure you made the right choice, you need to do a bit of research! Find the best destinations for you. If you do not have any specific ideas for a particular place, that’s not a problem. Travel agency websites are always a good place to start to get some basic ideas.

List the essential points that you’re looking to get from a longer trip (beaches with waves, a calm sea, kiosks on the beach, etc.) so you are clear what you are looking for.

Once you have chosen the place, look for all the things that you can do there. If you are travelling to the beach with children, it is important to know what recreational possibilities are on offer and which can be arranged.

Again, travel agency websites can help you a lot in this process.

 

Make lists.

To ensure you have a safe trip, prevention is always better than cure. By making a list of the essentials you need to take when you have a trip to the beach, you can avoid headaches later. Go back to your notepad or phone and write down all the items that come to your mind (write down everything, from clothes to sunscreens, children’s toys and cell phone chargers).

By doing so, when it’s time to pack, things will go a lot easier and you won’t waste a lot of time.

 

Make sure you don’t take lots of non-essential items.

Whilst it’s important to note all the essentials so you don’t forget them, it’s also important that you do not take a lot of things that may initially spring to mind, but realise on reflection that realistically you won’t need any of them!

 

Take care during the journey.

When the holiday finally arrives, it’s time to redouble the care you take.  Be it to do with your skin or your nourishment, you have to stay alert to avoid any setbacks or possible unforeseen events that could spoil your trip.

 

Use sunscreen.

So you planned your holiday well and now you are at your destination, enjoying some quality time with your family! So now it’s time to think about the practical aspects of everyday holiday life. An important point to think about when it comes to going to the beach is skincare.

And while we are talking about skincare don’t forget your skin’s best friend – sunscreen! This can prevent serious ailments like cancer, as well as premature aging, burns, blemishes and wrinkles. It’s very important to protect the whole family before you can enjoy the sun.

 

When using sunscreen, it is important to apply it half an hour before your skin is exposed to the sun, and it should be reapplied every three hours thereafter to ensure complete skin protection. Coloured sunscreens (or bases with protection factor) and those with antioxidant agents are more efficient because they create a physical barrier to sunlight, and also assist with skin regeneration.

Oh, and don’t forget to protect your lips (there are several specific lip protectors available), your ears and your feet!

 

Do not forget to take moisturizer and after-sun lotions.

Moisturizers and lotions can assist in the recovery of skin which has been exposed to the effects of sun, wind and water. They help cool and soothe the skin, preparing it for recuperation and prolonging the tan.

When you use them, pay attention those areas of the skin that are dry, such as the knees and elbows, for example. Choose a suitable product for your skin type (dry, normal or oily).

 

Use hats.

Hats are the joker in the pack when talking about beach attire! They are an important way of protecting the face and allowing you to enjoy your trips to the beach with less to worry about. So, don’t forget to put hats on your list (as well as your own, one for each of your children). But remember: hats, caps and visors should be used in addition to sunscreen, not instead!

 

Remember that food can be your ally, as can hydration.

That’s right: Skin protection is not just a matter of external care. During your trip, use foods containing carotenoids (such as carrot, papaya, apple, beetroot and pumpkin). In addition to protecting against cancer, these foods will also help you maintain a healthy tan longer. Another danger of sun exposure is the risk of dehydration, causing symptoms such as headache and dry mouth or lips. To avoid this discomfort, drink at least two to three litres of water a day to rehydrate the skin.

Water is the ideal liquid, but you can also choose to drink iced teas, flavoured drinks or natural juices (artificial juices are less recommended). Avoid at all costs fizzy (carbonated) drinks. High in sodium, they aid the body’s fluid retention, which is harmful not only your skin, but your health as a whole.

 

Avoid times of day when the sun is at its hottest.

Even when you take all these precautions, it is still better to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon (11 – 5 in the summer), when the power of the sun is strongest.

 

Learn how to protect yourself from the effects of wind and water.

It isn’t only the sun that can harm your skin. It can also be affected by salt water and strong winds, which can both help to dehydrate and burn the skin. This is because the sodium chloride helps your body to retain water, and the wind can create a false sense of relief to the skin, giving the impression that the sun is not burning it, even though it is still continuing to cause harm.

 

Shower or bathe using fresh water after you’ve been swimming in salt water.

Although refreshing to the skin, bathing in sea water should be followed by washing in fresh water to remove the salt water, sand and salt from the body.

Ideally the water should be cold or tepid (avoid hot baths). If there is no fresh water shower on the beach, you can take a bottle with you.

 

Keep your skin dry.

It is also important to keep your skin dry, so bring a towel to use specifically for this purpose, and try to avoid using towels or clothing used by others. In this way you can protect against the fungi that cause fungal infections, which can sometimes be difficult to treat.

It is well known that skin hydration is important, not only to counter the effects of the sun, but also to protect it from the effects of water and wind.

 

Keep an eye on sea conditions

If you are not used to the beach, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on sea conditions before venturing out. Check out the rhythm of the currents and bathing conditions (water quality).

Some beaches, especially those frequented by tourists, often have signs or flags indicating whether they are suitable for swimming or not; such flags are red for very strong surf or currents, yellow for light surf and currents and green for calm conditions. Do not hesitate to ask a lifeguard or a local resident for more information on these issues to.

 

Be careful with seawater.

Avoid going in water which is above the waist, especially if you can’t swim, as you will exercise less control when moving in the water. This advice is even more relevant if you are in the water with children when you will obviously need to be more careful.

The unforeseen can easily happen. If caught by a strong current, try to swim sideways rather than swimming against it headlong. This way you will spend less energy and swim more efficiently. Once out of the current, make use of the waves themselves to return to the shore.

 

Find out how to ensure your children’s safety.

Now that you know the basics of how to take care of yourself in a trip to the beach, let’s talk about child care.

We know that the beach can be an exciting environment, different and attractive for them, and an opportunity to have fantastic leisure experiences. However, children’s natural curiosity and excitement can often put them in danger.

Here, we list some tips to protect them without spoiling their enjoyment when exploring the world in this important time of a child’s life.

 

Remember skin care; it also applies to them.

The skin care that applies to you also applies to the whole family. Stay alert to children’s exposure to the sun during the hours of greater strength of its rays, and apply sunscreen correctly with a protection factor of at least 30 (every three hours, and every time the child comes out of the water); do not forget moisturizer or after-sun lotion to round of a fun day.

There are a number of products specifically intended for the care of children’s skin. They are recommended because they are less harmful to a child’s sensitive skin. Extra special care must be observed depending on age. It is recommended that a baby less than six months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

After that age, the morning sun and late afternoon is recommended, provided that they are not exposed for more than 10 minutes a day; it helps the production of vitamin D in the body, strengthens bones and helps prevent diseases.

 

Note the care with nutrition and hydration

A balanced diet rich in nutrients is important throughout our life. On a trip to the beach, special attention needs to be paid when feeding children, because of the extra energy expended and the increased risk of dehydration, as well as the increased tendency to consume foods which are rich in sugars and fats.

Invest in fruits, natural juices and lots of water!

 

Children and the sand

Contact with the sand and excessive humidity can raise children’s allergies, as well as fungal infections and dermatitis. A freshwater bath, as recommended for adults, also helps in this regard.

Make sure that children do not put sand in the mouth, nose, eyes and ears, because it may contain animal faeces and bacteria harmful to the skin and body in general.

 

Instruct them about what they can and cannot do, as well as how far they can wander off alone.

It is important that children are aware of good and evil; what is safe and what is dangerous. When they’re on the beach, explain that they can’t go wandering away from their family, and especially that they should not go into the water without an adult whom they know.

Make plans about what to do in case they get lost and arrange a safe meeting place – ideally somewhere like a lifeguard station. Also teach them what to say and who to speak to if they do get lost, something simple like “My name is John and I’m looking for my mother, Ana.”

 

Use Identification bracelets

Identifying your child helps save a lot time searching, if, despite your best efforts, your child gets lost. It is important to be able to identify children by having their name, together with the name of a parent or responsible adult, and a contact phone number, written on a bracelet attached to the child’s wrist. There are various models available to buy, but a simple strip of strong plastic tape with the information written in permanent ink will do the job. Even so, keep your eye on them!

 

Always respect a safe swim.

Child should not go into the sea by themselves; they should always be accompanied by an adult when it’s time to cool off and play in the sea. Attach buoyancy aids to their body (not too tight and not too loose) and make sure there are not near any strong currents.

Ideally, adults accompanying children should only go into the sea up to their knees, with the child having the water level up to their waist. Smaller children should always be carried.

Take extra care on very crowded beaches, where children can easily get lost, and kidnappings can happen more easily.

 

Choose a travel agency which will give you more peace of mind.

Now that you have considered the care you should take for yourself and your family on a beach trip, here are some tips on how to choose a travel agency to help you put your plans into practice, and at the same time avoid mishaps.

Choosing a travel agency is an important step in planning a long trip, as this will ensure that you have fewer headaches caused by the small and difficult details of the trip.

But what are the advantages and pitfalls encountered when hiring a travel agency? Check it out in this last stretch of our post!

 

Less paperwork

Agencies have the experience and know all about the destinations they offer, and you only have to deal with one contract, thereby avoiding contact with all the bureaucracy of all the other services needed for the trip.

A good company will know all of the best destinations for each time of year, and indicate the best ways you can fill your time between your arrival in the city and its best walks, and will deal with any problems that may occur.

 

More affordable.

Because they have an on-going relationship with the companies that actually provide the services and the packages on offer, an agency can usually obtain better prices which it is able to pass on to its customers.

The bottom line is that if you arrange and pay for each service separately, the final cost of the trip will normally be increased.

 

More variety of services offered.

The amount of different tours and packages offered can vary from one company to another. So it is important to opt for a service provider that can provide the most comprehensive services at your destination, from booking the accommodation to arranging tours with expert local guides, as well as providing roadmaps for the whole tour and organising airport transfers.

It is quite often better to pay a higher price for a more inclusive service than to try to cut costs and end up with no-one to help you when you need it in the middle of a family trip. Always weigh up which is best when comparing prices together with the personalisation of the services.

 

Good references

Don’t sign a contract with the first travel agency you came across when you walked down the street. The research about the places we mentioned at the beginning of the text will give you a sense of the best service providers available.

It is also a good idea to try and get references from people you know who have used a particular agency, and you can also find out about the reputation of these companies by finding out about any awards and certifications they have received, as well as their participation in travel industry associations. Some agencies operate illegally in the market and you obviously don’t want to fall into the hands of any of them. So, look for the company’s business license either in-store or on the Internet, and make sure the agency in question is registered with the Ministry of Tourism’s website.

 

Contract and cancellation policy

Find out about your rights as a traveller. Study the contract (travel conditions, accommodation, cancellations and making any date changes etc.) thoroughly before signing it, and make sure that you understand your rights and obligations with regard to the service provider.

So you can choose between those that provide more or less flexibility in changes according to the degree of certainty that you have regarding the details of the trip. Never sign a contract that has blank spaces in it!

Note that the communication with the company is objective, clear and efficient, and check the willingness of the staff to answer questions and provide information at any time during the trip.

See all that is included in the package and what is charged separately. If you feel aggrieved by the agency, refer to Procon and the Consumer Protection Code to require the provision of the service that was promised and denied, or the refund of the amount paid to the travel agency.

Even if you do not have much experience, now you have useful information and know how to anticipate potential and unforeseen hazards that can happen on a trip to the beach. This way, you will be ready to enjoy a beautiful leisurely time with your family, with certain comfort and lots of security, without having to worry too much about the logistical details.

Concentrate on leisure and health care for their children, and leave any problems the trip with the experts! We hope it is safer to make better decisions and take care of you and your family on your much loved trip to the beach!

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