How To Child-Proof Your Boat

​A boat trip or just a short afternoon cruise with your family can feel rewarding with that new boat you purchased. Aside from planning all the enjoyable things, you would also consider how to make the whole trip safe for everyone, especially with your kids onboard. 

Most boats already have built-in childproofing features with them. But since every boat is different, check what yours have. You may still need to put extra safety precautions that you don’t want to overlook.

Here are some tips on making your boat safe for your kids:

Always Have Personal Floatation Devices
This is non-negotiable. Make sure that you always have floatation devices on the boat for your kids. Children below 13 years must wear US Coast Guard-approved ones when on a boat. Get those that are well-fitting and will support their weight. There are also life jackets that can easily be buckled but won’t get too loose. 

Always Have Your Cabin Doors Locked
Check if the cockpit doors are secured. Not only that but also both upstairs and downstairs cabin doors have to be locked. Children would usually wander around the boat, and you might be unable to check in on them from time to time. 

Install Lifeline Netting
If you notice that your boat doesn’t have netting around the edge of the deck, get netting installed. This is an additional safety measure to keep your kids from going overboard when playing on the deck areas.

Educate Your Kids About Safety
Those mentioned above are important safety tips but as a good parent, teach your kids the rules when you're on the boat. Lead example. Show them how you did the childproofing and what those are for them. This could be more than just lessons for them. 

Owning a boat is almost the same as owning a house. Some house safety tips like covering the outlets, checking the doors, and keeping dangerous chemicals out of reach also apply to boat safety. Childproofing your boat before any trip gives you peace of mind and more time to enjoy and relax.

At Arnold Insurance Agency, LLC, we do our best to ensure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We will go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (318) 965-5953 or Click Here to request a free quote. Topics and coverage discussed in this article are not guaranteed, consult with your agents to determine what your policy does and does not cover. We are more than happy to help!