Mum shares genius hack to keep toddlers safe at the beach when playing in the sea – all you need is a tarp sheet

A SAVVY mum-of-three has shared a genius hack to keep toddlers safe while playing in the sea at the beach – and people can’t believe they didn’t think of it before. 

Anna Usher suggested parents dig a whole and use a tarp to create a mini pool of seawater away from the ocean. 

This cuts the chances of small kids being sucked under the waves and drowning, or even being missed by other paddlers. 

Known online as @ausher81818, she regularly shares parenting tips and family updates with her 72,200 followers. 

In a new TikTok reel, she said: “The best beach hack for little kids. 

“One, dig a hole. Two, put down a tarp. Three, fill it with water.”

Below the video, she added: “Endless fun.”

Shoppers can pick up a plastic tarp sheet from various retailers, including Amazon, with prices starting at just £6.99.

Fans loved her handy tip, with the video gaining more than 54,500 likes and 1.1 million views. 

In the comments, other TikTokkers shared their reactions, with one writing: “I’m going to see if my husband will do that for me! No sharks!!”

“Yall realize how dangerous the ocean is, right? this is smart,” commented another. 

A third put: “Brilliant idea! Thank you.”

Someone else shared her support for the idea, adding: “I took my 2-year-old in the ocean the other week and almost drowned us cause it was so rough I couldn’t get back up after falling! So doing this next.”

Although not all were convinced, with someone else writing: “Not much pint in going to the beach. Kids love jumping over the waves, using spades on waters edge etc.”

“Just take them to a pool,” one other suggested. 

Another had a warning for parents that choose to give this a try, adding: “Beach patrol here. Please fill in your holes.

“Can’t tell you how many times a kid will run and snap an ankle in a hole that hasn’t been filled in!!!”