Off to the pool or beach!

Date Posted: May 27, 2010

City pools are about to open and the weather is heating up, so it's time to think about jumping in the water.  Perhaps you have a trip to the beach planned for this season.  Make it easier to get out the door by organizing a beach bag or two.

Think about what you need to have at the ready, such as:

• towels
• sunscreen (should contain one of the following ingredients:  Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Parsol 1789, Avobenzone, Heliosol, Helioplex, or Mexoryl)
• water toys
• reading material
• sun protective clothing if you will be in the sun for a lengthy period
• insect protection

Consider getting a large tote bag or other easily portable container.  One with pockets or dividers would be good.  Load up your container with the necessary items.  You can put small items and sunscreen in smaller plastic bags so they'll be easier to find and won't spill on other things.

Keep the container in a convenient location so that you can just grab it and go.  When you return, leave the container in the laundry room so that you can put your clean towels back in the container.  Then store the beach bag in the convenient location again so that it will be ready when you are for another tip to the pool or beach.