While the sun, the sand and the surf lend themselves perfectly to relaxing and enjoying a memorable day on the beach, families should always keep one top priority in mind — staying safe. Nothing puts a damper on family fun like a mishap that leads to injury, irritation or even worse, but all of these can be avoided by taking the right precautionary steps. During your next visit to the beautiful shores of the Grand Strand, keep these safety tips in mind:
First, be aware of the local rules and regulations. A complete list of Myrtle Beach’s laws pertaining to beachgoers can be found at cityofmyrtlebeach.com, and a downloadable beach-safety brochure is even available.
Know what each of the beach warning flags stands for, and make decisions regarding your beach visits accordingly. Here’s a quick rundown:
– Double red flag: The water is closed to the public — and no swimming is allowed.
– Red flag: The water conditions are highly hazardous and include conditions such as high surf and/or strong currents. Swimming is discouraged in these conditions.
– Yellow flag: Medium-level hazards such as moderate surf and/or currents are present, and swimmers should take care (or avoid the water, depending on skill level) accordingly.
– Green flag: Hazards are low, and the water conditions are generally good. While conditions are calm when these flags are seen, swimmers should still exercise caution.
– Blue flag: Dangerous marine life is present, such as high levels of jellyfish.
Slap on some sunscreen. Even when skies are cloudy, the sun can take a toll on exposed and unprotected skin. The CDC recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, while the American Academy of Dermatology suggests an SPF of 30 or higher — and don’t forget to reapply regularly, especially after swimming, sweating or toweling off. A long list of sunscreen FAQs can be found at the American Academy of Dermatology’s website.
Stay hydrated. Especially on hot days, our body needs a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration — and some fluids (especially water) are better than others at keeping us hydrated. Consider these tips from Cleveland Clinic regarding proper hydration.
Avoid rip currents, and know how to escape if you get caught in one. Also called undertows and sometimes visible via a difference in water color or wave formation, these dangerous currents can pull even the most experienced of swimmers far away from the shore. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t panic or swim against them — rather, signal for help, and swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the undertow.
Follow these general swimming-safety rules:
– Swim areas where lifeguards are present.
– Always swim with a buddy.
– Avoid intoxicated swimming.
– Don’t float where you can’t swim.
– Always keep a close eye on small children in the surf.
– To protect your next, avoid diving into the surf.
– Keep your boogie board or surfboard leashed.
After your day enjoying the beach is done, head back to your comfortable oceanfront accommodations and amazing amenities at The Strand Resort in Myrtle Beach to rest up for your next vacation adventure. Book your Grand Strand getaway at The Strand today — and get ready for some fun in the sun!
