Nothing says summer like a day at the beach, whether that’s a weekend trip to Galveston, an extended stay at South Padre Island, or a longer family beach vacation outside of Texas. But, as there are drowning risks with spending any time near open bodies of water, where tides, waves and currents pose additional dangers, it’s important to keep basic precautions for ocean and beach safety — for your kids especially — in mind.
Long before you head to the beach, review these safety recommendations below that help lessen the likelihood of illness, injury or drowning and ensure you have the safest possible day at the beach, so that you can better focus on having the most epic day swimming in the surf and building sandcastles with your kids.
Ocean and Beach Safety for Kids
1. Know the Flag Warning System.
The Flag Warning System (FWS) is used to advise beachgoers of the current water conditions. While the FWS is used nationally, there may be some regional differences, so look them up for your specific destination. In general:
- Green: Conditions are calm; swim with care.
- Yellow: Caution should be used when entering water; it’s typically flown for normal conditions to remind swimmers to stay alert.
- Red: Conditions are rough; children should be kept along the surf line.
- Purple: Indicates presence of and potential problems with marine life, such as jellyfish or stingrays.
- Orange: There is an environmental warning for air and/or water quality.
2. Be aware of rip currents.
Rip currents can form in any large open water area, such as low spots and breaks in sandbars or near structures such as jetties and piers. When you get to the beach, check in with the lifeguard to ask about weather and beach conditions. While in the water, stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties.
If you do get caught in a rip current, the American Red Cross advises you to stay calm and not fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current, then swim to shore. If you can’t do that, draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help. If you see someone caught in a rip current, alert the lifeguard. If one is not present, call 911 and throw the victim something that floats (like a lifejacket). Whatever you do, don’t attempt a rescue if you’re not a trained lifeguard.
3. Choose a beach with a lifeguard.
The chances of fatally drowning at a beach with a lifeguard present is 1 in 18 million, according to the United States Lifesaving Association. We like those odds, but keep in mind: Lifeguards are not babysitters and cannot keep an eye on every child every minute, so you must keep a constant watch on your kids.
In addition to being that added layer of ocean and beach safety, lifeguards are a great source to speak with to check weather and water conditions and what marine life are present at the beach. If you don’t see a Flag Warning System, or are unsure of what color flag means, ask the lifeguard.
4. Buy and wear U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets.
“While drowning in swimming pools gets significant attention, the fact is that more Americans fatally drown in open water,” according to WaterSafetyUSA.org. That’s why the organization recommends everyone who is in or around open water (like at the beach) wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket as an extra layer of protection, especially outside of a lifeguarded area.
5. Keep an eye on your little ones.
Even if a child wears a personal floatation device when on or near the water, adult supervision is the first layer of protection. Adults should always be within reach of the child.
While you may be tempted to relax and read a book while the kids are playing in the sand and surf, it’s super important to supervise your kids at all times. If you have younger ones, use Touch Supervision—meaning you’re within arm’s reach of your child at all times. If you have older kids, ensure they use the buddy system, so there’s someone to call for help if needed.
6. Make sure your children know how to swim.
Among other water safety tips—like having a designated water watcher and preventing water access without adult supervision—enrolling your child in swimming lessons is another layer of protection in preventing the chance of drowning.
But remember: Even though your child may know how to swim, the ocean is a vastly different environment than the backyard or community pool. Because of this, it’s vital that you stay within arm’s reach of your young children to help reduce the chances of drowning.
7. Know the signs of drowning and what to do.
In most cases, drowning is silent, so it can be difficult to spot if you don’t know the signs. According to StopDrowningNow.org, the subtle signs can include:
- A person motionless or face down in the water
- A person swimming upright but not making any forward progress
- A lowered head or a head tilted way back or with hair covering their eyes or face
- A look of fear or doom in a person’s eyes
- A person who jumps or dives into the water but doesn’t come up quickly
For more on what to do in a water emergency, read our article on A Parent’s Role in Water Safety.
8. Protect yourself from the sun.
One of the most important things you can do—beyond knowing and practicing these ocean and beach safety tips for kids—is to protect your skin from the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends everyone use sunscreen that’s broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant. Apply your first layer at home (15 minutes before you go outside) and then reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
The exception is for babies younger than 6 months. For that age group, ADD recommends avoiding sunscreen and keeping them in the shade as much as possible.
In addition to sunscreen, the AAD offers the following tips for added protection:
- Seek shade during the hours of 10am–2pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest. (Taking a beach tent or beach umbrella with you can offer great shade when there isn’t a natural source.)
- Wear sun-protective clothing, such as lightweight or UPF long-sleeved shirts and pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
- Use extra caution when near water and sand. They reflect the damaging sun rays and can increase your chance of sunburn.
9. Be cautious about swimming in contaminated water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can contract swimming-related illnesses if you swallow, have contact with or breathe in mists or aerosols from water contaminated with germs. These illnesses can include:
- Diarrheal illnesses
- Rashes
- Ear infections
- Respiratory infections
- Chemical irritation of the eyes and lungs
- Flesh-eating bacterial illnesses from the Vibrio bacteria
Cases of Vibrio are extremely rare and most people who come in contact with it won’t develop symptoms, says Medical City Healthcare. Experts recommend avoiding swimming with open wounds and ingesting raw seaweed to reduce the risk of infection. Search the Texas Beach Watch to check the water quality levels at the beach you’re headed to.
10. Drink plenty of water.
Since you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time during the summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests encouraging your kids to drink lots of water before they ask for it to replace their fluids as they sweat. Infants drinking breastmilk can drink additional milk in a bottle. So pack those ice chests and come prepared with plenty of clean water. Learn more here about staying hydrated in the heat and signs of dehydration to watch out for by age group: babies, children and teens.
RELATED: A Parent’s Role in Water Safety
Top image: iStock
