For recreational boaters, few things are better than spending time with family on the water. But when kids are on the dock, the fun can quickly turn dangerous without the proper safety measures in place. Docks are uniquely risky environments for children: slick surfaces, unstable footing, and unpredictable water conditions can easily lead to slips...
Boating can be an exhilarating and bonding experience for families, but it also comes with unpredictable challenges — including sudden storms. For children, these experiences can be particularly overwhelming, triggering feelings of fear, confusion, and anxiety. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in helping their children manage these emotions and build resilience in stressful...
When you start to prepare for baby’s first day out on a boat, you might feel both excited and a little nervous. The good news is that taking infants and young children on a boat can be a fun family activity. You’ll need some gear and a little preparation to ensure that everyone can have...
A day spent cruising on the water can be a wonderful family experience, creating lasting memories and fostering a love for the outdoors. However, even the most idyllic boat trip can turn dangerous if safety precautions are neglected. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were over 6,200 recreational boating accidents in 2020, resulting in...
Kids boat safety can change by age – follow these safe boating practices that grow with your kids from baby to young adults Whether you are a new or experienced boater, bringing a baby onto your boat for the first time is probably one of the most anxiety inducing things you can do. As a...
How anyone on your boat – including family or young kids – can use emergency communication devices if ever needed Emergency communications devices like EPIRBs, PLBs, and DSC equipped VHFs are some of the most important safety gear you can have aboard your boat. Far too often though, how they actually work is mysterious, and...
In between life jacket sizes? Follow these tips to ensure you are getting the right kid's life jacket size for your growing child Many parents end up on this site looking for some guidance on what type or size of life jacket they should buy their kids. When it comes to youth life jackets style...
Follow these important sun safety tips to protect your kids from the harmful rays of summer while boating or on the water (as seen in Lakeland Boating) Soaking in the afternoon sun as it glistens on the lake is one of the many joys we experience boating. In fact, it’s the idea of “more fun...
How to choose the right life jackets for your boat kids by age and weight Water safety should be every parent’s primary concern around the water or on a boat. Balancing your kid’s desire for fun with your need for safety can be a tricky yet essential goal to achieve. The start of each new boating...
Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council hosts book reading of The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl, emphasizing water safety for kids A few years ago I published a children’s boating book called The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl (often referred to as simply “Boat Girl”). Boat Girl is a story based on my two daughters...
We focus a lot on boat safety for kids, but as parents are we always setting the best example for our kids on the water? Yes, kids should wear life jackets when walking down the dock, cruising on a boat (particularly a smaller boat) or even when you are anchored out swimming in the water…...
Summer fun in the sun can also mean not so fun sunburn. There is nothing worse than a painful sunburn on the boat… not to mention the long term effects sunburns can have on our skin. As parents we always have to balance our kid’s summertime fun with the need to protect their skin. It...
Teach kids about water safety around any body of water – including rivers, lakes, bays, oceans and swimming pools Kids are naturally drawn to water during the summer. Whether you are out on your boat or you are relaxing by the marina swimming pool, your kids are surrounded by water. So the month of May...