Don’t Forget These Beach Safety Tips

Half the fun of moving to the Tampa Bay area is taking advantage of some of Florida’s hottest west coast beaches. While the city of Tampa itself isn’t noted for having the best beaches in the world, the nearby options will knock your socks off. Visiting beaches along the state’s coastline, however, requires a little commonsense and some knowledge of basic safety.

Photo by: tzofia

Whether you plan on frequenting St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach or even the sands of Sarasota, this activity can bring a few potential hazards to the table. While beach-related accidents are few and far between in regard to wildlife, the risk remains. Plus, there are other concerns such as water safety and sun safety you need to know about.

Beach safety tips worth noting before you dive into Florida’s waters include:

Drink plenty of water

Going to the beach presents the potential for dehydration. Be sure to pack a cooler or purchase plenty of bottled water while you’re at the beach. Consuming plenty of water will not only stave off dehydration, but it can also help keep heat stroke at bay.

Never underestimate the sun

Even on its most overcast of days, the Florida sun can be hot. Sunscreen should always be worn when you’re outdoors – at the beach or not. For a long day at the beach, however, sun block is almost always a very good idea. Protective clothing and hats, too, are very smart to bring along. Wind burns can also happen. Clothing can help protect against this eventuality, too. Here are a few more sun safety tips:

• Make sure your sunblock protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30.
• For best effectiveness, apply sun protective products 30 minutes before going outside.
• Don’t forget the little spots like your lips, ears, around eyes, neck, scalp, hands, and feet.
• When possible, avoid outdoor activities during 10am and 4pm when the suns rays are the strongest.
• Remember to regularly reapply sunscreen during prolonged sun exposure. Shoot for every 2 hours.

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Water safety worth paying attention to

It’s a very good idea to only frequent beaches with lifeguards on duty. This is simply a smart move that can protect you and those around you. In an online feature for WebMD, Denise Mann speaks with the president of the United States Lifesaving Association, B. Chris Brewster. According to Brewster, the chances of drowning are 1 in 18 million if a lifeguard is present. So make sure your favorite beach has lifeguards on staff and double check to make sure that they’re on duty during the times you are swimming.

Pay attention to the signs

The state of Florida has a uniform flag warning system for beach goers. Pay attention to the flags and warning signs. Flags you need to know about include a red flag with a crossed out swimmer, which means a beach is closed. A plain red flag means the water conditions offer a high hazard potential. Yellow equates to medium hazard levels, and green low. If you see a purple flag, it means dangerous marine life has been spotted in the waters, which might mean sharks, jellyfish or something else.

Staying safe while visiting Tampa Bay area beaches just requires a little commonsense. Use the right sun safety measures, pay attention to warning signs and be mindful of those around you and you will have a blast.

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