Summer Beach Safety Tips

Summer means one thing for this California girl: Beach time! I pretty much lived at Santa Cruz beaches as a kid, swimming and boogie-boarding in the ocean, and acquiring some rocking tan lines. But I also learned early on the importance of beach and ocean safety—thanks to my dear old surfer dad. Severe sunburns, heat stroke and swimming accidents are a reality, but they are also easy to avoid.

As your family heads to the beach this summer—whether for a day trip, or a weeklong vacation—review these safety tips to ensure a fun, safe, sandy adventure.

Safety Precautions for Beach Lovers of All Ages

The first lesson I learned from my dad: Never turn your back on the ocean. Waves form quickly and can catch you by surprise. Beach safety experts agree and offer these additional precautionary tips:

Learn to swim before heading to the beach: It saves lives. If your kids aren’t strong swimmers or are just learning how to swim, make sure they stay close to shore.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Reapply often, and use broad-spectrum lotion that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Young children require a higher SPF sunscreen than adults because their skin is actually thinner and more susceptible to UV rays. According to Safe Travel, a U.K.–based Web site, children can get burned in less than 10 minutes of sun exposure. Apply lotion 15 to 30 minutes before heading outside for optimal absorption. Other sun-protective measures: wear a hat and sunglasses.

Actively supervise your children at all times: According to the Aquatic Safety Research Group (ASRG), “the number-one problem at beaches is lost children.” ASRG suggests families create a ‘beach plan’: “Know where you entered the beach, where you will place your blanket, and where you will meet if and when you become separated.”

Only swim where a lifeguard is present: The United States Lifesaving Association says that swimming near a lifeguard lowers your chance of drowning to 1 in 18 million.

• A guide to what the beach warning flags are and what they mean.
• Courtesy of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Never swim alone—even if you’re a strong swimmer.

Don’t dive head first into the ocean. Murky, sandy water can obscure underwater obstacles in the shallows. Protect your neck by always entering the ocean feet first.

Avoid alcohol: It not only inhibits judgment, it accelerates dehydration, too.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water regularly.

Obey all hazard flags and directions from lifeguards: See Safety Flags image for flag meanings.

Don’t “Pretend Drown”: If you’ve been blessed (or cursed) with a young practical joker in your family, don’t allow them to pretend to drown. Lifeguards will likely take the threat seriously and could be turning their attention away from those truly in need.

Watch out for broken glass. Wear shoes if you go for a walk on the beach, or on a wooden boardwalk, notorious for rusty nails and splinters. Also, don’t contribute hazardous beach litter—leave glass bottles at home.

If going out on a boat, always wear a life jacket.

Beware of rip currents: Ask a lifeguard if there are rip currents at your swimming location.

On escaping rip currents: Rip currents are powerful channels of water that flow perpendicular from the beach; they can sweep swimmers far from the shore. The National Weather Service explains it this way: “Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of” to disembark.

To get out of a rip current:

• Remain calm.
• DON’T fight the current.
• Swim parallel to the shore: rips are usually narrow; swim left or right until you no longer feel the current. Then swim to shore.