Most People Don’t Know These Simple Beach Safety Tips…Do You?

sign of rip current safety

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Summer is here and sometimes we don’t realize how dangerous a day at the beach can be. Most accidents that happen are because people do not know or fail to recognize simple basic beach safety tips. People don’t realize the risk that the beach can pose. 

With summer heating up on both the West Coast and East Coast beaches, there is no reason why you shouldn’t revisit these beach safety tips. 

Common sense is not always common practice! 

Follow along as we breakdown what the most important beach safety tips you should pack with you on your next beach trip. 

Take these travel tips with you and store them in your head! It’s important to revisit this every time you decide to plan a beach vacation. 

Why It’s Important To Incorporate Beach Safety 

Just knowing the basic beach safety rules and tips can not only help save your own life, but someone else’s too. And no I don’t mean jumping in after a friend to save them…that is a big No-No.

It means knowing what to do in case of an emergency. 

You should always be prepared and know how to respond. Most people panic and that usually does more harm than good. 

It’s important to know how to practice beach safety whether you’re going to your local state beach or traveling to a gorgeous faraway beach vacation. 

Why You Should Listen To Beach Safety Flags

Every flag means something different. More than half of the people don’t know what the colors mean.

Most ignore them. 

I know I didn’t for a long time. Little did I know or failed to research the meaning of them. 

Photo by Kelli McClintock

Now I do. 

Here I’ll break down the meaning of each flag and what to look for the next time you tread the waters.  

What each flag means and why you should know 

Colors:

Red: High Hazard- rough conditions & rip currents present – All swimmers discouraged from entering the water

Yellow: Medium Hazard -Currents are present/moderate surf; swimmers who aren’t strong enough should be discouraged from entering the water

Purple: Active Marine life present- could be anything from jellyfish, stingrays present; don’t worry sharks would have a RED flag

Red/Yellow: Recommend swimming area with lifeguard present

Black /White: No swimming; for surfers and windsurfers only

Beach Safety Is Way Different From Pool Safety

If you think your a good swimmer at your own pool and can face the beach waves then think again. Pool safety tips are way different from beach safety tips. Swimming at your pool does not have the velocity and strength of the beach. 

Waves are powerful. 

If caught off guard or wrong, it can either cause injuries by knocking you off your feet. Most people underestimate the stretch of waves. 

I know I am guilty of this. 

I was once knocked off my feet and luckily didn’t hurt myself, but rolled with the wave thinking I can fight it. 

I was wrong. 

It was a lot more powerful than I thought. 

Not once, but more like a couple of times. I learned my lesson hard. 

The fact that you should practice pool safety rules at your own home is important as well. Just keep in mind that pool safety tips are way different than beach safety tips. Don’t confuse both. 

What Are Some Rip Current Safety Tips

If you do not know what a rip current is then according to Merriam Webster: 

“A strong usually narrow surface current flowing outward from a shore that results from the return flow of waves and wind-driven water”

Photo by Kelli McClintock

If you’re ever caught in a rip current, then the first rule is not to panic. I am sure you have heard this before. The number one thing to not do is fight the current. You won’t get far. 

If there is only one thing you should remember it is this:

Always swim to the side if caught in a rip current. 

This will definitely help you escape the impact of the rip current trying to pull you in further and further. 

I know what usually helps is having a floating device such as a boogie board. But you must still swim to the sides. 

Quick story. 

A couple of years ago my sisters and I were swimming at the beach. Luckily, I had a boogie board with me but the rip currents were taking us further in. I did what most people would think of doing and tried fighting it. We kept swimming straight into it with no success. 

Long story short.

We were floating away and the strongest waves weren’t even allowing us to make progress towards shore. 

Luckily, a strong person asked if all three of us were stuck and we replied yes! 

He was able to pull us away from the rip current and finally in.

I was so grateful not only for the man that helped us but also the boogie board floating device. 

We all learned a valuable lesson that day. 

How To Incorporate Beach Safety For Toddlers and Children

You should always keep an eye on children no matter what. Never assume that they are near you. Toddlers have a tendency of running places. 

Always keep them within arms reach. They should never be left unsupervised or unattended. Even if lifeguards are present, never assume that they will be watching your children. 

Photo by Steven Van Loy

I have seen many parents let their children build sandcastles a distance away and thus leave them unattended. This is a big No-No. 

Tips to take with you on the next beach vacation trip

  • Be on the lookout for Portuguese-Man-of-War
  • Know what your swimming ability is and be honest
  • Always have younger children close by; never leave them alone
  • Make sure there is a lifeguard present
  • Make sure you swim within the beach flags
  • Never swim alone
  • Wear SPF when you swim in the water
  • Drink plenty of water; always hydrate
  • Do not dive into water headfirst
  • Swim to the sides if stuck in a rip current
  • Watch out for sharp objects in the sand; wear flip-flops in the sand
  • Know what the colors of the safety flags mean when going to the beach
  • Research the beach condition beforehand
  • Beware of hypothermia (depends on the season)
  • Never camp at the base of a coastal bluff; these are caused by erosion and can break off. This can be fatal.
Photo by david morita

Conclusion

Many people don’t realize how dangerous the beach can be. Of course, everyone who visits the beach never expects anything to every happen. And they shouldn’t. But accidents do happen. 

And it is always best to be prepared with the best possible beach safety tips you can have. 

These beach safety tips can not only save your life but many other lives including your families. 

By remembering the basic safety tips that every person should keep in mind before visiting the beach this summer you can help save lives. 

Always remember to have fun at the beach and use common sense that you need to use in order to have a fun-filled safe beach vacation. 

If you looking for beaches to visit this summer then do not forget to visit some of the most gorgeous beaches that are found in San Diego. 

If you’re looking for an east coast beach to visit then check out Florida beach blogs for that.

Jess-and-Jeanette-at-the-beach

Jess & Jeanette

Jess and Jeanette, two sisters who founded Unseen Beaches, were inspired by their family’s beach vacations while growing up.

Their passion lies in guiding you toward the most remarkable beach destinations across the U.S., while also protecting and preserving these beautiful coastal treasures! 🌊❤️

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2. Kelty Tent: Seek refuge from the sun with a lightweight, easy-to-set-up beach tent.

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4. Trailhead Chair: Sit back and relax with a comfortable and sturdy beach chair.

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