Guide on Sun and Beach Safety this Summer

Special Report

INTRODUCTION

Fun in the sun is the reason most people visit the beach. It is a time to get away from the daily grind and spend time with family. The beach is warm, relaxing and there are tons of things to do in the water.

When you are thinking about the fun it’s easy to forget about the safety issues that surround a day at the beach. Maybe you’ve been to the beach a thousand times and nothing out of the ordinary has happened. But, it only takes a split second for something to go wrong on any given day.

To that end, it is prudent to plan for a day or a week at the beach with safety in mind. This means safety in the car, on the sand and in the water. Be prepared so that the unthinkable won’t happen to you. In this report you will learn about:

* What to take to the beach
* Protecting your vehicle at the beach
* Protecting your belongings at the beach
* Staying safe in the water
* Some general “rules of thumb” for any time spent at any beach

PREPARING FOR THE BEACH

Who doesn’t like a road trip to the beach? It is a chance to be free. But, you don’t just hop in the car and get going. You have to be well-equipped for your time at the beach so that you come back in one piece with a good many memories to share.

Check the weather forecast

Ever headed off to the beach only to have the sky break open thirty minutes after you arrived? Avoid getting rained on at the beach by checking the weather forecast. Friday may be gorgeous with not a cloud in the sky, but that can change in an instant. Get the weather outlook for the entire beach trip so you can plan which days to head for the sand and which days are better spent indoors.

Rain is not the only weather condition that concerns you. A chance of thunderstorms means lightning also. Swimming is not recommended in a lightning storm. Tropical storms and hurricane type weather is not uncommon at certain times of the year so be careful. Beaches usually post signs in inclement weather to warn beachgoers when swimming is prohibited.

Accessories

A day at the beach can turn miserable fast if it is too hot. Not only will the sun seem drawn to you and overheat you, it will also burn your skin. If you have children, their skin is even more delicate than yours and will burn that much faster.

Remembering to take precautions against the sun’s harmful rays means one less thing to worry about while you are having fun. Don’t forget the sunblock or sunscreen lotion. Apply these products to your skin before venturing out in the sun to keep you from returning like a hot chili pepper – red and on fire.

What is the difference between sunblock and sunscreen? You see both kinds in the store, but they are not the same. Sunblock as the name implies, blocks all harmful radiation from reaching the skin and damaging it. This includes both UVA and UVB radiation. An SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 or higher is recommended when out in the sun for a prolonged period of time. As the SPF number goes up, the protection from the ultraviolet rays gets stronger.

Sunscreen is like the screen in a door. It allows some things to pass like air, but denies entrance to others like pesky insects that bite and sting. The same goes for sunscreen. If you want to tan, a sunscreen will allow some UVB radiation to pass through to your skin. A low SPF means more radiation is reaching and penetrating the outer layer of your skin.

Sunblock and sunscreen are different in other ways as well. Sunblock is like a thick lotion when applied to the skin. It contains zinc oxide which lifeguards use on their noses to keep from getting burned. It is intended to stop all rays so it needs to be a thicker formula.

Sunscreen is more like a thin lotion or oil. It goes on easy and blends with your skin. Some are even scented so it doesn’t smell like chemicals. Apply either product at least thirty minutes before going out in the sun or in the water. Sunscreen will need to be reapplied after time spent in the water and every two hours if you are just sitting on the beach.

Don’t forget your other gear. Bring hats, towels, sandals, sunglasses, water and chairs. If you plan to sit on the beach for a while, a beach chair is better for your back than propping yourself up on your hands. You can relax and also keep sand out of your bathing suit.

Sand absorbs heat and can get pretty unbearable after a few hours especially during the middle of the day. Every family member needs sandals and/or water shoes for walking on the beach. The advantage to water shoes is that they stay on and can be worn in the water when you go swimming. The rubber sole keeps you from injury with sharp rocks, broken seashells and glass fragments in the sand and water.

Hats protect not only your head but also your face. No one wants to put a lot of sunscreen on their face especially around the eyes. Wearing a hat with a wide brim keeps the sun off of your face. Sunglasses protect your eyes from sun damage. Choose a pair for everyone that has UV protection noted.

A beach umbrella can be cumbersome but it keeps the sun off of you when you want to catch a cool breeze. Kids are protected from rays if they fall asleep on the beach.

What about water? It is easy to become dehydrated on the beach. All that playing and you’ll forget to eat, too. Water keeps you energized and stops dehydration. It is not uncommon to swallow sea water when you are playing but it is so salty that it can aid in dehydration without you even knowing it. Bring a small cooler or an insulated tote bag filled with enough water bottles for two apiece.

AT THE BEACH

You’re here! The beach stretches out before you with the ocean beyond that. All you want to do is set up shop on the sand and hit the water. Before you do so, remember that while the beach is a wonderful place it is still full of people. And, all of these people are not honest.

Car safety

With everyone enjoying a day on the beach, no one is thinking about the cars. Thieves can break in and rob you or steal the car while you are relaxing under the sun. If you are vacationing for more than one day, choose a hotel that has beachfront property. Now, your car is parked on their property and you can walk to the beach without moving it.

If you are visiting for the day, you more than likely will park on a side street to access the beach easily. This also keeps you from having to pay a parking fee in restaurant or other business parking lots. They open up their lots on the weekends to day trippers to make some extra money.

If you park on a side street observe a few tips to keep your car safe. First, remove all valuables from the car. People will break in if they think they see money, keys or anything expensive in your car. Place all items in the trunk where no one can see them. This includes wallets, strollers, loose change and etcetera. Place a sun shade in the front window to keep the seats cool throughout the day.

What to take on the beach

Many moms pack a tote bag full of helpful items to carry to the beach. One bag means less to look after while you are there. All of your accessories for the family can fit in your tote bag as well as a cell phone, your car keys and beach toys for the kids.

A cell phone is helpful in an emergency to call local authorities. They are easily lost in the sand so have a high and dry place to keep it.

For vacationers who use their hotel beach, you don’t even have to carry keys. Leave your car keys in your hotel room and leave your room key with the front desk. This keeps you from losing it while on the beach. Zippered bags keep valuables safer because a thief has to do more to get at them. If you are alone on the beach, place your keys and cell phone in a waterproof bag with a string that you can tie to your wrist or around your neck when you are in the water.

Being beach aware

Crowded beaches are a recipe for disaster if you are not watching. When you arrive at the beach, survey your surroundings. If you have small children, try to choose a spot to camp that is near a lifeguard tower. When and if you need it, help will be only a few yards away. Beach thieves are less likely to rob you with a lifeguard keeping watch.

Know where your kids are at all times. It is easy to get separated in a sea of people. When they go to the water’s edge, go with them. You are their barrier between pushing and shoving people and getting knocked down and drowned. Also, a child can be easily abducted from the beach when there is a crowd.

Know the rules of the beach. Depending on where you beach is, all manner of sea creatures may live nearby, just beyond the sandbar. Information about such things is posted at the lifeguard stations. You’ll also find rules about water safety, beach hours, food on the beach and other things.

Signs posted on the beach or in the water are there for your protection. Disobeying them can be the difference between life and death. Become familiar with them so that you or your family do not have anything to worry about but fun for your day at the beach.

Becoming water aware

Water is beautiful and warm but it can also be deadly. Hundreds of people drown each year at the beach. They are dragged under by currents, horseplay, impaired judgment and accidents. Respect the water and be prepared to venture out into it.

Depending on your beach, there could be a danger of sharks or other sea creatures. Sharks do not have to be the Great White from “Jaws” to cause you trouble. Smaller sharks hang close to beaches and mistake people with fat baby seals and other nourishment. They are attracted by the sound vibrations of so many people flailing in the water.

Jellyfish and sea nettles can cause problems also, they sting with their tentacles which can temporarily incapacitate someone or cause a child to slip under the water. If you are warned about jellyfish, steer clear of them. Wearing water shoes stops you from getting stung under foot if you should step on one.

Animal conservationists keep an eye on turtle nesting areas and other animal habitats around the beach. Avoid disturbing them when you are at the beach. Signs are posted to alert beachgoers when they are near one.

Watch out for boats. If you are far enough out that you are approaching the boating lanes, watch for flags signifying their waterway. Water skiers also need to know boating rules so that there are no accidents between boats on the water. Don’t go out without a life jacket on and be sure that your boat driver is competent about boating safety.

Alcohol and swimming make for bad bedfellows. Alcohol impairs judgment. Swimming under the influence of alcohol can result in disorientation which can lead to drowning for you or someone else. Many beaches don’t allow alcohol for that reason.

Be aware of the underwater environment. Unless you are an excellent swimmer do not go out any farther than the majority of the crowd. Once you are out past the sandbar you can get into dangerous territory. This goes for anyone on a surfboard, boogie board or a raft. It is easy to fall asleep or close your eyes for what seems like a moment and drift too far out to sea.

Many beaches have outcroppings of rock called jetties or groins. Some beachgoers fish from these spots but it is not a place for kids to play or for diving into the water. The rocks are slippery and jagged. You can get serious injuries if you fall here. It is best to avoid them.

One of the most dangerous water occurrences are rip currents. They are areas of fast moving water under the surface. On the surface, the water surrounding rip currents will be discolored maybe even brownish. The water is also choppy and churning.

Get caught in a rip current and you could be pulled under the surface and swept out to sea. Rip currents are extremely strong and hard to swim against even for the most experienced swimmer. If you feel the pull of one, swim as fast and hard as you can in the opposite direction to break its hold. This is challenging so the best thing to do is avoid them at all costs.

General rules to follow at the beach

Sometimes the rules for good times at the beach are simple enough that they are thought of as common sense. We’ll list them here but once you read them you’ll think the same – which they are, no-brainers if you want to stay safe.

1. Never swim alone. Two heads are always better than one. It is good to use the buddy system in the water especially when one is a child. If you can swim fairly well, choose a good swimmer as your partner. If an accident does happen, the other person is your first line of defense against drowning.

2. Put litter in its place. There are trashcans along the beach for bottles, cans and what not. Litter affects everyone. If you see a piece of trash or a glass bottle, pick it up and dispose of it properly. You are helping to keep the beach clean and safe.

3. Read all posted signs. If you are unfamiliar with a beach this is also a good idea. Know what the rules are and when to swim and not to swim.

4. Avoid horseplay in the water. Kids and adults have been known to grab someone’s legs and pull them under or dunk someone’s head in the water. This is never a good idea. Someone can get hurt or worse. The water is not the place for such games.

5. Don’t drink the water. Ocean water is salty not to mention filled with all manner of things. After a rain, the water quality may be poor. Drinking the water can make you ill and dehydrated.

6. Don’t try to swim in crowded areas. Some people just like to stand in the water to feel it on their legs. If you are trying to snorkel or swim amongst a sea of legs, this can be difficult for you and them. People get nervous when things bump them underwater. Choose a place away from the crowd but not too far out in the water to swim or float on your raft.

7. Carry some sort of first aid kit. Cutting feet on glass requires cleaning the wound and covering it. You don’t need a lifeguard for that. Carrying a little kit with antibiotic ointment, pain meds and bandages can fix a kid up in no time so they can go back to having fun.

CONCLUSION

Staying safe at the beach is everyone’s responsibility. No one wants to be the victim of a tragedy. Preparation for the beach begins at home. Pack the right gear so that you have everything that you need. Try to limit your beach luggage to one zippered waterproof tote bag that can hold everything you have to have. Leave at least one person to “mind the store” at any given time so your valuables are protected.

Safety for kids at the beach means parents who are constantly watching them to make sure they don’t get into trouble. The beach is not the place to doze off and leave the younger ones in the care of older kids. Maintain a watchful eye on kids when playing on the sand and accompany them into the water especially on crowded days.

Wherever you travel, use common sense. There are some things that are not safe to do at the beach including drinking alcohol and playing around in the water. If you have to, be the voice of reason in the crowd to keep yourself and others safe.

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