Seawater is extremely high in salt, and high salt intake causes high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Starting your kids off on a high-salt diet can lead to poor eating habits in the future as they become accustomed to the taste, so save your seawater cooking for special occasions and specific foods. Also, diseases in the seawater can cause health risks, so never cook with seawater from high-risk areas, which are usually labeled for fishermen with warning signs. You can also look up "red tide" warnings for your area so you know which beaches to avoid for both seafood and seawater purposes.

Boil any unregulated water source, including seawater, to kill any biological organisms that might contaminate the water. Water's boiling point is 212 degrees F, and a few minutes at 185 degrees is enough to kill any organisms, so by waiting for the water to come to a full boil, you know it is safe. Boiling doesn't take care of chemical contamination, however, which is why you need to watch for warning signs. If your kids are old enough to understand the safety concerns, have them watch the water pot while you prepare the rest of the meal, as you must wait until the water boils to add your food.

In-shell seafood like crab, lobster and clams are the best candidates for seawater cooking. Crawfish and other edible freshwater crustaceans also work well. The natural salts enhance the flavor while the shells protect the meat from getting too salty. This type of seawater cooking makes for great camping food. If you have finicky eaters in the family, you might want to bring along a few hot dogs to roast as well, since many children are picky about eating seafood. Add a quick and easy salad topped with raw vegetables and creamy dressing to round out the meal.

Mix a small amount of boiled seawater with fresh water for cooking other items that might absorb too much salt from pure seawater cooking. For example, you can boil potatoes in a mixture of one part seawater to three or four parts fresh water. Use no more than a couple of tablespoons of seawater to season your pastas, rice and similar dishes; with the need for boiling, this can make seawater an unappealing alternative to table salt. Seawater also makes an excellent seafood soup base as long as you cut it with unsalted liquids.

If you live near the sea and want fresh, free sea salt, consider learning which of the local seaweed varieties are edible. These underwater veggies add a salty flavor that you can control easily by limiting the amount you add, and most are high in vitamins and minerals.