Tips for Ensuring Beach Safety

At Distinctive, our priority is to make your Florida trip, where you can surf and enjoy the sea, both pleasurable and secure. It's crucial, when heading to Florida, to acquaint yourself with the safety flag color system—an integral aspect of beach safety for all. These flags' colors provide vital information about surf conditions, guiding your coastal activities, whether you find yourself on the Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Ocean. This universal flag system is designed to ensure a safe beach experience.

In addition to understanding the flag system, staying aware of rip currents is paramount. These robust currents, moving away from the shore, can pose risks even for strong swimmers. Recognizing signs of rip currents, such as unusual wave patterns, murky water or a darker coloration, is essential for a safe beach experience.

Here are some beach safety guidelines to help you maximize the enjoyment of your vacation.

Start each beach day by checking the flag color, providing crucial information about the conditions. This system is universal across our beaches, from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Ocean. Lifeguarded public beaches are available from mid-March through September.

Double Red Flag: Water is closed due to dangerous conditions.
Red Flag: High hazard due to surf and/or strong currents.
Yellow Flag: Medium surf and/or current hazard.
Green Flag: Low hazard and calm conditions; remain vigilant.
Purple Flag: Marine pests present, such as jellyfish, stingrays, or dangerous fish.
Swimming is illegal in the Gulf and ocean under a double red flag, and violators may be fined.

Carry a Pair of Shoes: Although feeling the sand between your toes is a delightful aspect of being at the beach, walking on sand that is over 90 degrees in direct sunlight can burn your feet. Always have a pair of shoes on hand to guard against really hot areas.

Recognize the Symptoms of Sun Poisoning and Sunstroke: Drink plenty of water and follow sun safety advice. Identify symptoms so that help can be given right away.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion:
Confusion
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Pale skin
Swelling

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning:
Skin redness and blistering
Pain and tingling
Fever and chills
If symptoms are severe, seek medical attention immediately.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Waves: Water, though beautiful, can be dangerous. Watch out for waves breaking directly on the shore, as they can cause injuries. Never turn your back to an incoming wave.

Understand Rip Current Safety: Be aware of rip currents, powerful currents moving away from the shore. They can pose a danger, even to strong swimmers.
How to Identify a Rip Current:
Waves break further out to sea on either side of the rip current.
Waves are smaller and unorganized.
Sand is stirred up, causing the water to appear murky.
The water is deeper, indicated by darker-colored water.
What to do if You See Someone Else Caught in a Rip Current:
Notify a lifeguard and call 911.
Do not enter the water.
Throw a person a flotation device and keep sight of them.
What to do if You’re Caught in a Rip Current:
Do not panic or swim against the current.
Relax and float until the current dissipates.
Swim parallel to the coastline until you can reach the shore.

While keeping an eye on the conditions of the beach is undoubtedly important for beach safety, we also encourage you to wear sunscreen and to reapply it frequently while having fun on the beaches in Florida! Nothing like a severe burn to spoil a good time. Even renting a beach umbrella can be something you want to think about for those extended days in the sun with loved ones.

With Distinctive Beach Rentals, we believe these helpful beach safety advice will help you enjoy the best beach trip possible!