Late summer is the perfect time to head to the coast, but it’s important to be aware of beach hazards so that you can protect your family. Ensure that everybody has a great time by keeping in mind these safety tips. Riptides can be incredibly dangerous, so it’s important to pay attention to signal flags on the beach. Keep a close eye on any children near the water at all times, and never let them be unsupervised. Make sure to stay well hydrated and protect your skin from sun exposure. Finally, stay weather aware and follow any guidelines to get to shelter or even evacuate in the case of hurricanes. Hopefully, by keeping these tips in mind, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to the beach!
Beach Hazards to Be Aware Of: Keeping Your Family Safe
Rip Tides
One of the beach hazards that everybody should be aware of is riptides. These are strong undercurrents that can pull swimmers out into deeper water in the ocean. There are numerous videos on how to spot riptides in the water, but authorities often know when they are more likely. Pay attention to warning flags posted at beach entrances. For example, double red flags mean that the beach area is closed, a single red flag indicates a high danger level. Yellow is indicative of medium hazard, and green is low hazard. Purple flags can indicate wildlife in the area like jellyfish or shark sightings.
Children Near Water
Another of the most dangerous beach hazards to be aware of is letting young children near open water. If you are traveling with kids or toddlers, you must keep an eye on them every second of the time you’re near the water. Children can easily get swept out by currents, and a toddler falling into a pool can be hard to spot. Make sure that any adults in charge of watching kids puts their phones away to avoid distraction.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure can be dangerous on hot summer days. Especially when the beach sand is reflecting sunlight back up at you from all directions. Make sure that you drink plenty of water and stay in the shade as much as possible. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, and consider things like hats and rash guards for children. Know the signs of dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion.
Stay Weather Aware
Finally, it’s always important to be careful about beach hazards from inclement weather. Storms can come up quickly, so pay attention to any warnings from lifeguards or authorities. If there is a hurricane approaching, always listen when given orders to evacuate. While it’s a bummer to cut your vacation short, it’s not worth the risk of staying.
Avoiding beach hazards can help keep your family safe this summer so that you have an enjoyable and memorable vacation together. Make sure that you are aware of the dangers of the ocean before going, and pay extra close attention if you are traveling with young children. Be mindful about warning flags at the entrances to beaches, and listen to any instructions from lifeguards regarding riptides. Keep an eye on littles at all times, and never leave them unsupervised for any amount of time. Protect yourself and family from sun damage and dehydration by wearing sunscreen, drinking water, and finding shade when possible. Finally, stay weather aware at all times. Pay attention to alerts on your phone or from lifeguards in the area. Hopefully, your vacation will be incident-free and you can all enjoy a