December 15, 2023
Planning your vacation in beautiful Destin, Florida, is an exciting endeavor. With its stunning beaches and endless outdoor activities, it’s no wonder that Destin is a popular destination for travelers seeking sun, sea, and relaxation. While enjoying your vacation to the fullest is essential, ensuring your family and friend’s safety should always be a top priority.
Vacations are all about creating unforgettable memories, and safety plays a pivotal role in making those moments truly enjoyable. Whether you’re planning to swim in the Gulf of Mexico, soak up the sun on the beach, or explore the local attractions, here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind for a worry-free vacation in Destin, Florida.
Be Aware of Rip Currents
Destin’s beautiful beaches can have strong rip currents. Always check the local conditions and swim in designated areas with lifeguards. If caught in a rip current, don’t panic—swim parallel to the shore until you escape its pull. Check out the following links to see current flag-status and helpful information:
Know Your Limits
While the Gulf waters may be inviting, it’s important to know your swimming abilities. Be cautious, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer, and consider wearing a life jacket or take a pool noodle/float with you at all times. Read about Bring a Noodle’s mission in how a simple pool toy could have saved a tragedy: https://bringanoodle.org/
Educate the Kids
Make sure that your kiddos understand the importance of both beach and pool safety. In a matter of seconds, your lives can change, and it’s so easy for everyone to take a few minutes to familiarize themselves with water safety, especially for those of you who may not have oceans, lakes, pools, etc. nearby at home. We love sharing this little video with our guests, meant to make you smile and learn: https://youtu.be/y8EnnUaHK4k
Apply Sunscreen Generously & Repetitively
Down South, we all love our sun, but oftentimes folks forget just how strong the UV rays are. Pair the ball of fury in the sky with the crystal white sand on our beaches, and you have the perfect scenario for tanning (or burning!) much quicker than back home. Protect your skin by using cosmetically and environmentally-friendly SPF sunscreen (fan favorite is Sun Bum and it smells just like bananas! Don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours, especially after swimming.
Wear Sun-Protective Clothing & Accessories
Consider wearing lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to shield yourself from the sun. Our favorite gear includes COLUMBIA, PONYFLO hats that are built for your pony-tails, and MAUI JIM which can be found at nearly any local sunglasses shop.
Seek Shade & Stay Hydrated
Take breaks from the sun by seeking shade under an umbrella or beach tent. This can help prevent heat-related issues like sunburn or heat exhaustion. And, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (especially for those of you with a YETI full of adult-only beverages.) Remember, we’re in Florida; it is hot and we don’t need you spending your well-earned vacation in our hospitals getting juice.
Choose Age-Appropriate Activities
Select activities and attractions suitable for your children’s ages and interests. Quite honestly, you should consider the same even for adults. Do you have someone traveling with you with special needs? Are they afraid of heights or getting wet? Destin offers a wide range of family-friendly options, from watersport activities to inside activity centers. Call and ask the activity providers if there are any restrictions or things to keep in mind!
Emergency Plans
This is a biggie for us – nothing breaks our hearts more than having an upset child come tell you they can’t find their parents. Make sure your kids know any and all contact information for both persons present or back home (that could lead to connecting them back to their right guardians). Create a game or fun way of knowing the clothing you’re wearing each day. Being able to tell an officer that your child had on yellow swim trunks with flamingos all over them is quite helpful compared to, ‘they had on swim trunks.”
Knowing Your Beach Spot
Much like the last point, we have seen it too many times where children are separated (heck, even drunk adults!) from their families. Whether they took a stroll down the beach or got pulled away in the water, it’s much easier to “get lost” than one may think. Make sure each of your traveling partners knows what makes your beach spot special (hate to tell you, but the multi-color umbrellas all blend in with one another). Consider matching beach towels, a special “icon/marker” and paying attention to who your beach neighbors are (as a reference point).
“May your journey be free from stress and bring you home safely.”
By following these safety tips, you can enjoy a fantastic vacation in Destin, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to stay safe. Embrace the sun, surf, and local culture, and create memories that will last a lifetime while keeping your well-being a priority. Have a safe and wonderful trip!
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