The weather is warm, the sun is shining, the kids are restless. What to do? It's a perfect day for a trip to the beach. Advance planning and preparation will ensure that the excursion turns out to be more of a pleasure than a pain.
A little extra time spent in preparation will result in more carefree, health-enhancing hours at the beach for everyone. Check that you have these essentials at hand before you leave home, just in case they are needed.
IN THE CAR
* Lots of gas
* Ownership and insurance papers
* A first aid kit containing band-aids, antibiotic spray or ointment, sterile gauze and other items.
IN YOUR PURSE, WALLET OR POCKET
*
Emergency documents: identification, names of next of kin, family doctor, health insurer and the policy number.
* Cell phone, with programmed
emergency numbers, just so you're not completely out-of-touch with everyone.
IN THE COOLER
*Lunch: sandwiches, bananas, animal crackers, cheese sticks, veggie wraps, granola bars, anything you have on hand which is low in fat and sugar and which is relatively non-perishable.
*Snacks: fruit such as raisins, orange wedges, plums, tangerines, grapes, apples, berries, melon slices, or packages of nuts or trail mix. Take a few minutes to wash and cut fruit into individual portions at home, and carry in plastic baggies.
* Moistened wipes for cleansing sticky hands.
* Drinks: bottled water, fruit juice, a thermos of Koolaid, ginger ale, or any liquids you have on hand that your family enjoys and that are not loaded with sugar. It's easy to become dehydrated in the sun, especially for children when they're warm and having too much fun to notice nudges of thirst.
IN A CARRYALL
* A camera with film: there are likely to be many opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime photos.
* A portable radio with charged batteries: music adds to the carefree, holiday atmosphere.
* Lots of sunscreen lotion: no one wants a sunburn as a souvenir of a wonderful day.
* Bathing suits, sandals, sun hats, t-shirts, towels: after a few hours in the sun, light cover-ups are advisable to protect tender skin.
IN THE TRUNK
* A beach umbrella: in case the hot sun becomes uncomfortable.
* Sand toys: a beach ball, pail, shovel, strainer, water gun, whatever the children want and the parent will allow.
* A pillow and story book: in case any of the younger members of the family need to lie down for a rest.
It you live near a beach where the water is unpolluted, you are fortunate. Many have ``Swim at your own risk`` signs displayed all summer. It`s best to heed the warnings. Water-born diseases can be very serious, even fatal.
Even without swimming, a trip to the beach in summer can be fun. You won`t have to carry along the bathing suits, just enjoy playing in the sand and later come home and romp under the sprinkler, or have a cool bath.
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