5 Essential Beach Travel Safety Tips

For summer vacation, many travelers head to beach destinations to relax and unwind. While beach vacations can be relaxing with the sun, sand and surf, they also can be incredibly dangerous. So that you have a safe and sound beach vacation this summer, don’t leave home without these safety tips for the beach.

Take Precautions For Sun Exposure: As skin cancer rates climb, travelers headed to beach destinations need to get serious about the sun. If you are going to the beach for your summer vacation, you need to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before you go out in the sun, after swimming and every few hours depending on how long you are outside. It is also a good idea to pack a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses or even an umbrella to provide a little shade away from the sun.

Know How To Get Out of Strong Rip Currents: All too often beach vacations turn into tragic nightmares due to rip currents. You can be swept away from shore very quickly if you get caught in a rip current. If you do find yourself in this situation, it is best to not panic or exhaust yourself trying to fight the current. Experts advise to swim parallel to the shore, instead of fighting the current. Once you are out of the current, you can turn and swim toward the shore.

Pay Attention To Beach Flag Warnings: Most beaches feature flags of different colors, indicating what the surf and current levels are like that day. You shouldn’t take these colors as mere suggestions. Not all beaches are ideal for swimming and some can be dangerous based merely on the day. It is a good idea to check with the beach you want to visit to find out how safe it is for swimming on your vacation.

Don’t Bring Valuables To The Beach: In many tourist areas, thieves are lurking on beaches, waiting for you to head into the water for a swim. While you are splashing around, they are stealing your valuables. Travelers shouldn’t leave any valuables unattended on the beach. If you want to swim, be sure someone is manning your belongings in the meantime. You can also go one step further and tie long purse straps to your chair to prevent a quick grab and dash. There are also purses on the market that are slash proof and can be locked to umbrellas and chairs.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: If you are planning a beach vacation, you can’t just head to those sands unprepared. There is more work involved in the preparation department than your typical sightseeing vacation. You might be on isolated stretches of beach without any services. You need to bring water and snacks with you in most cases. If you don’t hydrate while out on the beach, you could face disorientation and heat stroke. If water doesn’t seem to be helping, it might be time to head back to your hotel for a rest, especially if you have been out during the heat of the day.