Florida is a state full of fun and exciting activities, adventures, and destinations. There’s no shortage of things to keep you and your family busy. With all the fun, however, come a few precautions to take.

It’s not all fun and games, after all.

In order to really get the most out of your Florida vacation, you need to prepare. One way to do that is to ready yourself the for high temps, dry air and untamable waters.

6 Safety Tips for Your Next Florida Vacation

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind to make sure that your next Florida vacation goes off without a hitch.

1. Get a Boating License If You’ll Be Renting a Boat or Jet Ski

The first thing any Florida vacationer should do is read up on boating licenses. It might seem a bit outlandish, but considering the number of water-related activities there are to partake in, it makes a lot of sense.

In Florida, you need a boating license to rent a boat and even a jet ski. Don’t worry! The process is fairly easy.

You can either take a quiz online and have a license mailed to you, or you can show up to the rental facility and take a quick test there.

It might be annoying at the moment, but it makes sense at the end of the day. This prepares you for all of the obstacles and challenges you might face.

2. Stock up On Sunscreen -- At Least SPF 50

The sun beats down on Florida like nobody’s business. Temperatures can reach well into the 90’s in no time. With all of that sun comes the threat of sunburn. Even worse, prolonged exposure can lead to complications like sun poisoning and skin cancer.

That’s why it’s important to have plenty of sunscreen on hand for your next Florida vacation trip -- one that has an SPF of at least 50 to make sure it blocks out all of those harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Not only do you need sunscreen, but you also need to make sure it’s applied regularly. Doing this will ensure that your skin is always protected -- regardless of whether you’ve been swimming in the water all day or sweating out in theme park lines.

3. Stay Hydrated at All Times

Because of the heat, it’s also important to stay hydrated.

Dehydration can come on quickly, but it is also one of the easiest conditions to reverse.

Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, fatigue, decreased urination, headache and dizziness before it gets more severe and leads to disorientation and hallucination.

You don’t have to let it get even that far. All you have to do to combat this dehydration is drink plenty of fluids -- and do so regularly.

Nobody wants to go to the emergency room on their vacation -- and certainly not for something as simple as dehydration!

4. Wear Hats and Glasses to Protect Sensitive Areas from the Sun

Another biggie that’s important to note about the sun and staying safe while under it is wearing protective clothing and coverings. By this, I mean wearing hats and sunglasses to hide hard-to-protect areas of the body.

Not everyone can lather up the sunscreen on the scalp, for instance. But a hat can protect this sensitive area from harmful rays.

Similarly, with the number of reflective surfaces out there and the constant beaming down of the sun, the eyes are especially vulnerable. Wearing sunglasses that protect against UV rays is a surefire way to make sure you don’t do any lasting damage.

5. Brush Up on Your Swimming Skills

Considering Florida is surrounded by water on almost all sides, swimming is an inevitability. Match that with the number of water-related activities out there and it’s almost a guarantee that swimming will be something on the to-do list.

Florida’s drowning rate is, unfortunately, the highest in the nation.

It’s a devastating statistic, but it doesn’t have to ring true on your next vacation if you prepare.

This means taking yourself and your children to an instructor who can help you brush up on how to swim correctly.

Whether Florida is a beach destination or a theme park adventure, the risks are still there. So be vigilant.

6. Never Swim Alone

It’s also important to never swim alone. which is swimming safety 101. Alone, there is no one around to go get help if it’s needed, regardless of the situation.

The water is an unpredictable place and accidents can happen in seconds. If you’re alone, the chances of you suffering are much greater.

Make sure you and your family know never to enter the water without a buddy around. Doing this will ensure your swimming adventures are as safe as can be.

Staying Safe on Your Next Florida Vacation

Florida is an amazing place, but it’s not without its dangers. The two biggest of these dangers are the sun and the water.

But staying safe isn’t hard when you know what to prepare for. As long as there is water, sunscreen and common sense on hand, this trip will be one that goes down in history.

Planning a Florida getaway? Here’s a bucket list to inspire your own!