A day at the beach is fun and exciting for friends and family. It’s a successful one if you stay safe and stress-free. Beaches have safety guidelines that you should learn and follow. They are essential to keep you safe at the beach. You also need to watch out for your safety.
Here’s how to ensure a safe and stress-free day at the beach.
- Prepare at home- Do your research before you leave the house. Prep everyone on how you’ll stay together and follow beach guidelines. If you have been to the beach before, it’ll be easier. Don’t assume it’ll be all merry. Set yourself to enjoy the day at the beach, but with control.
- Look for the lifeguarded bench- When you get to the beach, look for the lifeguarded bench. They’re the first response people on the ground. So get in touch. Also, inquire if there’s a security guard patrol. Such questions are important to keep you, your family, or your friends safe. Chat with the lifeguards, and they’ll give you more tips on beach safety.
- Adhere to the beach rules- Beaches have rules and they are on board signs. Read them out before you go out to enjoy yourself. You might learn a thing or two. If you frequent the beach, you must know most of them already. You’ll also hear announcements from the public address system. Be keen always to hear what guidelines they are giving.
- Know how to swim- Learning how to swim will save you a lot. Also, ensure that your friends and family know how to swim. There are swimming lessons for children from six months old. Specialized beach swimming training will teach you more about conditions at the beach like rip tides. It’s never too late to learn how to swim. Get started today.
- Follow the beach flags- There are different types of beach flags you should look out for. They are;
- Black and white checkered flag: separation between surfers and swimmers
- Green flag: the beach is calm and has good conditions for swimming.
- Purple flag: Presence of hazardous marine life, like fish, stingrays, or jellyfish
- Yellow flag: There are moderate currents.
- Red flag: You can swim but there are high currents.
- Double red flag: There’s no swimming, beach closure.
- Learn how to identify rip tides- Rip tides are one of the biggest hazards at the sea, and can drown you. To stay safe, swim along the yellow, green, and red flags. Rip tides can be unpredictable, so here’s how to stay safe;
- Shout for help and raise your hand
- Don’t swim again on the riptide
- Wade instead of swimming
- Wait for the rip to die down while swimming parallel to it
- Prepare for emergencies and injuries- Tag your friend or family along to the beach. Always swim where you can see lifeguards or lifesavers. Prepare for injuries such as;
- Sunburns– Wear sunscreen if you can’t stand direct sun
- Jelly stings– Treat a jelly sting with salt water or hot water rinse.
- Small scrapes and cuts– Ask a lifeguard to help you, or carry your first aid kit.
Keep emergency numbers with you. You’ll need it, for example, when your child gets lost, or a friend gets caught in a rip tide.
- Be cautious with inflatables- Don’t use inflatables without seeking guidance. Some beaches are not safe to use inflatables. It can be because of strong winds or tides. Use inflatables near the shore, and avoid big waves. Keep track of the beach windsock to know when there’s a strong wind.
Final thoughts
Going to the beach is all fun, but you need to stay safe. All the guidelines seem hectic, but you need them for your safety. Follow the beach’s rules and safety precautions so you can have a good time. Don’t shy away from interacting with beach personnel. Look out for your family and friends when you are out there.