Sun, Sand and Safety on the Beach
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Heading to the beach this summer? Brush up on your safety skills and review these helpful tips to keep your family safe on the sand and in the surf:
• Swim close to lifeguard stands, and pay attention to designated swimming areas. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
• Don’t swim in designated surf areas! Some beaches don’t have flags to identify swim and surf areas, so look at the water to figure out where to swim.
• Provide constant supervision when children are on the beach and in the water, even if they know how to swim. No one should ever swim alone! Sometimes a wave can shift the sand and cause kids to lose their balance.
• Provide water shoes to protect small feet from hot sand or broken shells.
• Start the “stingray shuffle” the moment feet get into the water, where stingrays sometimes hide under a thin layer of sand. The shuffling sends vibrations that will scare away stingrays and prevent beachgoers from accidentally stepping on one.
• If someone does step on a stingray and gets stung, soak that body area in warm water. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar on hand to treat anyone stung by a jellyfish. Don’t forget to contact a lifeguard for additional help.
• Slather on sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a high SPF for better protection against UVA and UVB rays. Apply at least 1 ounce of sunscreen to the entire body including feet, nose and ears, at least 30 minutes before going outside. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours.
• Create shade to help prevent sunburns and heat stroke. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. Wear a hat, sunglasses and bring a beach umbrella or tent. Consider wearing clothes with SPF protection woven into the fabric.
• Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink water throughout the day, especially if you are playing games on the beach.
• Pack a first aid kit that includes aloe gel for sunburn relief, triple-antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, waterproof bandages plus alcohol pads for scrapes, hydrocortisone cream for insect bites, tweezers, ear drops for swimmer’s ear, vinegar for jelly fish stings, hand sanitizer, and a chemical cold pack for swelling.