GIVEAWAY – Spa essentials – CLOSED

~Lindsey, owner of My Household Junk

As a mom, I feel like I can’t ever leave the house without packing first. Actually, if you are a mom, you really can’t. You have to have the essentials with you at all times. When going to swim, what are the essentials?

1. Sunblock or sunscreen – A sun block is a preparation applied to the skin, which totally blocks the rays of the sun from reaching the skin and is achieved by either scattering or reflecting the rays away from the skin. A sunscreen is a preparation which on the other hand absorbs the rays of the sun, and controls the amount of ultra violet radiation reaching the skin. Although not all researchers are of the opinion that sunscreens are beneficial or limit the damaging effects of sun exposure, it definitely does prevent the skin from excessive sunburn and reduces or prevents tanning. You always want to use sunblock on those little ones. My sons love the Avon sunscreen with deet free sunblock. It goes on blue (or green) and dries clear. They actually let me put it on because it is fun. Don’t forget the tops of their ears and lips!

2. Towels – The most irritating thing about the beach is that towels don’t stay put. Land’s End has a great beach towel with stakes. Novel idea. It stays in place! It is also 50% off right now!

3. First Aid Kit – The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:

* 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
* 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
* 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
* 5 antiseptic wipe packets
* 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
* 1 blanket (space blanket)
* 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
* 1 instant cold compress
* 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
* 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
* Scissors
* 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
* 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
* Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
* 2 triangular bandages
* Tweezers
* First aid instruction booklet

3. Snacks and drinks – If there is a place to get food, it is usually much more expensive than bringing your own. Make sure not to take glass bottles as they usually aren’t allowed. If you are going to your local swimming pool, check the pool rules before taking your own food and drink. Do make sure your kids, and you, stay well hydrated while out in the summer heat. Getting in the water can cause a false sense of coolness.

4. Cooling Gel – Ok, this isn’t really a true necessity, but at my house, it has become one. I have two very active boys who just don’t want to come inside. The cooling gel instantly cools and moisturizes their skin so they can play longer. We use Avon’s Skin So Soft Cooling Gel Moisturizer. It is also 50% off right now!

5. A trash bag – Many times there is not a convenient place to dispose of your trash. Take a trash bag just in case.

6. Something to put it all in! – You need a beach bag. It should be a bag that won’t be easily destroyed. I also like machine washable! Remember, it will get dirty. Here are some of my favs.

What are your summer beach/pool bag essentials?

To get the sand out of all those places it does not belong, Lindsey has offered to host a GIVEAWAY here on Girlgetstrong! This Avon 4-piece set includes a mini shower puff, a wooden-handled nail brush and a pumice stone in a basket woven from natural sea grass. Oh-so-soothing and oh-so-easy to win! Enter now, enter often!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Tell us: What is your favorite thing about summer – 3 words or less! Leave your comment in this post here on Girlgetstrong.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Leave a thoughtful comment on any post (only one comment per post) on Girlgetstrong. You can leave as many comments as you like!
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Don’t forget to visit Lindsey at My Household Junk and say hi from the GGS girls!

~Have you entered to win one of our other FABULOUS GIVEAWAYS yet?  Enter now, enter often!