Beach Safety Tips
Our beaches here in South Walton are among some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are a big part of what draws so many tourists to this area. We love our beaches and want everyone who visits them to have the best experience possible. That being said, there are certain responsibilities that we, as beachgoers, have to consider in order to experience a fun and SAFE beach day.
Wear Sunscreen
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s a necessary tip nonetheless. Sunscreen is one of those things that can be hard to remember, but impossible to forget once you’ve experienced the mother of all sunburns! Even on those cloudy days when you think to yourself, “Ah, the sun’s not even out and we won’t be out here long,” – put on sunscreen! Here are some basic sunscreen tips to follow –
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Always apply your sunscreen before you get to the beach.
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Don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours – once is not enough.
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When applying sunscreen, don’t forget the tops of your hands and feet.
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Wear a hat for extra protection of your face .
Stay Hydrated
When you are packing your cooler full of cold beverages, don’t forget the water! It is extremely important to stay hydrated when you are out in the sun for extended periods of time. Water is the #1 way to stay hydrated and the side effects of dehydration are not something that you want to deal with on vacation. Here are a few more tips on other ways to stay hydrated on the beach –
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Move under a tent or to a shaded area after prolonged time spent in the direct sunlight
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Pack some watermelon or other fruits and veggies that are high in water content
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Opt for coconut water in place of sports drinks that are high in sugar
Know the Beach Flag System (And Follow It)
Just like any other beach, our beaches come with rules and regulations that are put into place for the safety of all beach goers. The Flag System is something that everyone who enjoys our beaches should be educated on. Let’s go over a quick run-down –
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Double Red Flag – Water CLOSED
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Red Flag – High Hazard
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Yellow Flag – Moderate Surf/Currents
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Green Flag – Calm Conditions
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Purple Flag – Dangerous Marine Life
Visit South Walton has a designated page within their website that displays the current flag color/current conditions. You can also text “FLAG” to 67463 to stay up to date on flag conditions. Isn’t technology great?
Learn Rip Current Safety
The gulf can be a dangerous place to swim under rough current conditions and you can quickly find yourself in a scary situation. It is important to know how to react if you were to find yourself caught in a rip current while swimming in the gulf. How you react in that moment can ultimately be a matter of life and death. Go over the following tips with your family before spending a day at the beach.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current –
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Try to remain calm and continue normal breathing.
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Don’t attempt to swim directly to shore or against the current.
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Swim parallel the shore until you feel the current completely relax, and then swim to shore.
Clean Up Before You Leave
Be respectful of these beautiful beaches that Mother Nature has gifted to us, and keep in mind that while we love to enjoy a day on the beach with our loved ones, our beloved sea turtles call these beaches their home. The trash or equipment that you leave behind can be detrimental to a sea turtle’s life.
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Remember that to plan the best beach vacation, it all starts with the perfect house. And once you’re here, having a full-service concierge on call? Priceless. Start planning your dream vacation with 30A Cottages & Concierge today.
