Summer Beach Days
Healthy Beach Time

Everyone should cover up when on the beach.

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is fun!  Family trips to the beach have started, and everyone is ready to dive into summer sun and fun.  Swimming in the ocean is different from the local pool. Planning to make sure beach time is a happy time is a good idea.  Although it’s easy to just pack the towels, chairs and umbrellas and head for the shores, there are several more items to keep in mind and add to your list. Here are a few things to review once more for our summer vacations and weekend trips to the shore.

1. Always wear sunscreen – Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, sun cream or suntan lotion, is available in various forms – such as lotion, spray, gel or cream.  Sunscreen absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation which helps protect against sunburn. Select a product which best meets your needs and preference.  Pay close attention to the SPF (Sun protection factor).  The higher the SPF, the more protection.  Select products specifically designed for children.  Remember to reapply throughout the day; this is true not only for children – but everyone!

2. Swim with a buddy, and not far from the Lifeguards – swim with a buddy not only for fun but in case of an emergency.  Quick response to water emergencies and accidents is vitally important.  A swim buddy nearby can mean survival.

3. Stay hydrated – bring a cooler with water. Enough for everyone to have several bottles.  Regardless of how tempting it is to load the cooler with sweet beverages, water is the best way to stay hydrated.  Beverages such as Gatorade help replenish nutrients lost during heavy perspiration and time spent in the hot sun.

4. Check for warnings or alerts for your beach location – Before heading to the beach, check weather reports for conditions which may require a change in plans.  Rip current warnings may be announced too.  Pay close attention to where rip currents have been noted and review safety tips for swimming out of this dangerous situation.  Ensure everyone has a buddy and anyone on shore is paying close attention.  Reports of storms may be disappointing because they may postpone or cause you to cancel your trip.  But thunderstorms can bring lighting and you will want to stay away from the water during stormy times. Listen for alerts which can influence your experience at the beach and share with others who may be joining you and may not have heard the reports.

5. Learn about and how to stay safe if you are caught in a rip current – Watch videos or read safety tips for swimming out of a rip current. The U.S. Lifesaving Association website has information www.usla.org  You can also find additional information by searching online and entering the search words – Rip Current.  There is more information to understand what they are and how to swim if caught in the current.

6. Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard – approved life jackets in and around water. – Better to be safe when around water.  The ocean floor is very uneven.  There can be dips and places where the water is shallow and suddenly deep.  A life jacket may appear to take the fun out of beach time, but it is a safety precaution that you’ll want to have in case of an emergency.
There are many fun floatation devices around these days.  Everything from pizzas floats to animals shapes and bananas.  Bring them along, but make sure those who can not swim well are also wearing life jackets.

7. Pay attention to children and elderly persons – mobility can be more difficult walking on the beach sand. Also, remember heat can affect them differently, and they may require more breaks.  Keep an eye on them for signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration. Look for the signs:  extreme thirst, dry sticky mouth, fatigue and confusion, headaches, disoriented, dry eyes, muscle cramps, inability to cool off and lack of perspiration.  If you see any of these signs, it’s time for more water.

8. Watch for marine and aquatic life. Do not encourage curiosity where children feel it is ok to touch or play with marine life.  Some sea life can be dangerous and most of all we need to help keep sea life safe and healthy too.

9. Take an umbrella (or other sun and heat protection gear) along with beach chairs for breaks.  Wear sunscreen under the umbrellas too.  The sun can also reflect from the sand and cause sunburns.

10. Set family rules before heading to the beach. – Include rules such as no playing holding-your-breath underwater contest, discuss how long you will stay in the ocean before taking a break for water, playing on flotation, etc., assign water buddies and agree on how long you will stay on the beach.  Set the rules ahead of time, so everyone knows your expectations.

For more tips on summer safety and health check out this website:  Healthline