Jul 10
9
How to Have a Fun and Safe Beach Trip
Wow, so you are planning to have some fun under the sun? Good for you! It is about time that you take a break from the usual stressful everyday life that you have been living for the past few years. Not only would you get to relax, you would also be able to spend quality time with people who matter most to you like family and friends. To help you have a blast and at the same time keep your beach trip safe, here are some practical beach safety tips worth considering.
• Follow safety guidelines in swimming such as do not swim alone, do not swim in unrestricted areas, do not swim in unfamiliar waters, and avoid swimming at night. It would help to ask the lifeguards first about the ocean conditions before jumping in.
• Be careful of rip currents. Rip currents are seaward moving currents that circulate water back to the sea after being pushed ashore by the waves. They are dangerous because they can pull the victims away from the beach. Avoid swimming in areas where there are rip currents. If ever you are caught in one, try to swim parallel to the shore. If you are unable to do this, keep treading on the water and wave and shout to ask for help. It would be best to stay at least a hundred feet away from jetties and piers.
• Never drink alcohol before or during swimming. Alcohol can inhibit your ability to balance, coordinate, and make rational decisions. It also impairs your body’s ability to keep itself warm.
• Keep children under close supervision. Never let them go out there without a personal floatation device even if they know how to swim.
• Wear foot protection when swimming in areas that are rocky, unclean. Do not walk barefooted on hot sand beaches.
• Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. To do this, apply a generous amount of waterproof sunscreen with sun protection factor of at least 20+ an hour before going out into the sun. Wear sunscreen even during cloudy days as UV rays can pass through clouds. Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day (10 am to 2 pm). Always wear sunglasses that have UV shield to protect your eyes. Moreover, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water all the time.
• Avoid lighting up campfires. If you are there for a beach camping trip, you are probably thinking of putting up a campfire. If you can avoid it and use a portable camping light or lantern instead, it would be safer. If you really want to put up a campfire, check first with the beach authorities if this is permitted. It would be a great idea if you have fire safety equipment like a fire blanket or an extinguisher back in your car to put it out in case it grows big and out of control.
Having a fun and safe beach trip can be a cinch if you follow the tips mentioned above. Make sure that you do everything you need to do to keep yourself and the people with you safe so you can come back next time for another round of fun and exciting beach adventure.
