Beach Safety Tips & Resources
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***Know Your Location*** In an emergency, every second counts. The Dare County Sheriff’s 911 Communications staff may not be able to immediately identify your location from a cell phone. Pay attention to what street you access the beach or sound from and what milepost you are located near. If you are unable to provide an address or location of the emergency, response times can be hindered in life or death situations.
Swimming safely – There are so many ways to have fun in the ocean. Most often you can’t tell much about water conditions from the viewpoint of standing on the shore. Particularly at beaches where you are unfamiliar with the water conditions, help ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. You can do this by checking the local weather and rip current forecast/conditions.
Riptides are real - Hidden dangers like rough surf, undertow and rip currents can quickly turn an afternoon paddle into a serious incident. If you get in trouble while in the water, call and wave for help. Flotation devices are no substitute for knowing how to swim.
Slather on the sunscreen – Nothing ruins a beach trip faster than a sunburn on day one. Make sure you get to enjoy the sun every day of your vacation by coating yourself and the kids in a generous coating of high SPF sunblock. And reapply!!! Remember, waterproof sunscreen still needs to be reapplied.
Protect your feet - A long walk on the beach is a great. But rough coastline can wreak havoc on your bare feet. An easy beach safety solution is to pack a pair of shoes for everyone in order to prevent cuts and scrapes from broken shells and other sand hazards.
Drink the right liquids – Keep everyone hydrated with plenty of water!
Don’t turn your back to the ocean - Remember that tides go in and out. And when you’re in the ocean, you never know when a large wave may be coming.
Don’t bring glass containers to the beach. But dispose of your trash, especially plastic, carefully - Broken glass and bare feet are a bad combination. Equally as important, be sure to dispose of plastic or any other trash properly.
Watch for trash and other signs of pollution - Steer clear of any trash seen floating in the water. Plan to leave the beach cleaner than when you got there. For trash on the beach, pick it up with a stick and dispose of properly. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!