Whether you’re in Southern or Northern California, odds are you’re going to hit the beach at some point this summer. After all, our beaches are one of the major benefits of living in California! It’s helpful for you and your family to understand the importance of beach safety.

Beach Safety Facts

In order to practice beach safety, you need to understand the risks. Familiarize yourself with these beach safety facts before your day in the sand, sun, and surf:

1. Dangerous rip tides – Rip tides can travel as fast as 8´/second, which means if you’re caught in one, it could take you out to sea. You can spot a riptide if you see that the waves aren’t breaking, seaweed is being pulled back in from the shore, or there’s foam on the beach.
2. Flag colors – Different flags are posted at various parts of the beach to indicate safety conditions. You should only go swimming in an area with green or black and white checkered flags.
   • Double red flags mean the area is closed.
   • Single red flag means swimming in that area is risky.
   • Yellow indicates medium hazard.
   • Purple flags tell you there is dangerous marine life (see: sharks) nearby.
3. Heat risks – Understand the risks of a hot sunny day. It’s the best time to go to the beach, but make sure everyone wears sunscreen. Avoid time in direct sunlight; bring an umbrella for shade to reduce the risk of sunburn. Additionally, drink lots of water to avoid heat exhaustion.
4. Lifeguards are not babysitters – Even if there’s a lifeguard on duty, always keep an eye on everyone in your group when they go into the water. Never let children go into the water on their own without adult supervision.

Going to the beach can be a fun time. Just make sure that you familiarize yourself with these beach safety facts. For more summer safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store.