Summer is right around the corner, although it feels like summer already. With that in mind, and school ending, you'll find yourself wanting to cool down from the heat and humidity on those long summer days. What better way to enjoy a hot and humid day, than at the beach?! We are fortunate to live in a place that offers so many local beaches to enjoy.
Tips:
- Check out these Summer Safety Tips from the Department of Children and families. The above brochure was a collaboration from: My FL Families, Healthy Children, Safe Kids, and the US Coast Guards Boating Safety Division. Be sure to check out each of those sites for lots of tips and health/safety education!
- If you're headed to the beach, when in doubt, overpack! No matter how long my family plans to spend at the beach, we always bring these things on our beach trips:
- Portable Wagon like these
- Life jackets!!!
- Small cooler (if you don't have one, you can get cheap Styrofoam ones from the some gas stations, Walmart, Walgreens, etc)
- Ice, Water, Snacks (chips, sandwiches cut in fourths), Fruits/Veggies (think strawberries, watermelon, cucumbers)
- Towels
- Swim Shoes
- Sunglasses/ Sun hats
- Goggles/ Snorkel Gear
- Sand Toys (you can also get these from dollar stores, Walgreens, Walmart, etc)
- Floaties (swim noodles or ring tubes)
- If you are planning a beach trip with an individual who isn't easily able to get around, The City of FMB has adaptive wheelchairs made just for the beach! They require a waiver to be completed, in addition to a $500 deposit OR credit card deposit. You can use them between 9am - 5pm, and pickup/drop-off is at Newton Park. Reservations must be made at least one hour in advance by calling 239-463-5888.
- Check out the list of Beach Accesses in advance, to try and scope out where you'll park, since it can be a mess! Here is a MAP of those accesses, so you can see exactly where they are.
- Be aware of the tide - you may find less beachy areas to soak up the sun on and more water at certain hours and days.
Summer Safety:
- The Sun
- Protect Your Eyes - Keep UV Protective Sunglasses handy. Wear a sun hat or cap to keep the sunlight out of your eyes as well.
- Apply, and Re-Apply Sunscreen - The sun is STRONG down here near the equator. Even on a cloudy day, the UV rays penetrate the clouds, reflect off of the water, and burn our skin. Be sure that you follow the directions on your sunscreen bottle, apply, and re-apply frequently (especially when coming in and out of the water).
- Layers - Wearing layers in the sun can protect your skin from the UV rays (i.e. rash guards or UV blocking swim wear).
- The Heat - Heat stroke is very relevant in Southwest Florida.
- Stay Hydrated - Have plenty of cool water on hand. Always ensure you have cool, drinkable water available to you and your family. Even a cooler full of ice can help "turn down the heat" if things are getting out of hand. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, etc, let someone know ASAP and sit down with some water.
- Get Some Shade - Find some solace in the shade of a mangrove, tree, pier, something! This can help to cool you down a bit.
- Know When It's Time To Leave - If you or your child(ren) are starting to turn red, get blisters, chapped lips, etc, you've overstayed your welcome and need to go rest in shade and hydrate.
- The Sand / Water - Watch Your Step!
- Sanibel and Fort Myers Beaches are known for great shelling excursions! Shells are beautiful and fun to collect, but it's not so fun when you step on them!
- Beach shoes/water shoes can protect yours and your child(ren)'s precious feet.
- Young Sting Rays, aka skates, like to hang out in the shallows. For this reason, it's good to practice the "Stingray Shuffle." Shuffling your feet in the sand/water ensures that you scare them away, instead of stepping on there sharp barbed tails. While there is typically no medically significant dangers, they do hurt very badly.
- Jellyfish - Ensure you avoid trying to touch a jellyfish, as you may be stung.
- Sharks - A good rule of thumb is to stay out of the water during May through September between 5pm - 9am.
- The Bugs
- Insect bites - well it is Florida, and there are bugs everywhere, all the time.
- No-see-ums are teeny-tiny bugs that love shade and grass/plants on beaches. They thrive in hot and humid weather and are more active during the early morning hours and evening. They have pin-sized bites that grow into big itchy welts. Though they are not known to be medically significant to humans, though they can cause diseases in some animals.
- Rip Currents
- Follow These Safety Tips
- Do NOT Swim Against the Current - Doing so will only make you tire faster. The safest/best option to swim out of the current is to swim PARALLEL TO SHORE. Once you've gotten out of the rip current, swim back to shore. If you have the energy, try to yell for help!
- Know Your Limits - Take Swimming Lessons as needed
- Stay Close to Shore - If you aren't a very strong swimmer, don't swim out too deep and be sure you can touch the ground
- Swim at Your Own Pace - Don't try to swim faster than you can, again, you'll tire faster. Take a break if you need to!
- Know the Signs of Drowning - if you can't breathe, you can't yell for help. If you're trying to stay afloat, you can't wave for help. If you see someone bobbing on the surface of the water, mouth underwater, looking in distress, ask if they are OK. If they can't answer, get them help ASAP.
- Don't Downplay the Waves - It's very easy for a big wave to sneak attack you and submerge you. Jumping over them may be fun, but you can get tired very quickly.
- No Diving - avoid serious neck/head injuries by always jumping in feet first, or better yet, wade/swim out.
- Stay Alert - Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Human Trafficking is a real issue, not one that we ever think or would want to encounter, but it could happen to anyone!
- Keep a watchful eye on your kids. Put your phone down
- Put Your Phone Down - We can't focus on safety and surroundings if we are constantly looking at our phones and scrolling on social media.
- Bring a Partner - Ensure you aren't alone at the beach, especially when swimming. If you have another person with you, they can get help if you ever need it!
- If You See Something, SAY SOMETHING
- Check the Beach Conditions
- Check the Weather Before You Go - This could prevent you being caught in a big storm, or prevent you from a too hot or too cloudy experience. Florida (and Texas) are the lightning strike capitals of the US; being on the beach isn't good, being in the water is worse. If hurricane conditions are in the forecast, it's best to follow the local mandates and evacuate the area to a safe zone.
- Check for Red Tide - You can check the current situation here.
- Check for Blue-Green Algae
- Check MOTE Marine Laboratory for beach conditions/reports
- Check the Water Quality
- Report Dead Marine Life
- Sick, Injured or Dead Sea Turtles - Contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-SAVE-ONE (728-3663)
- Sick, Injured or Dead Animals - Contact FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
- Fish Kills - To report a fish kill, contact FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online. The public can also download the free FWC Reporter app to their mobile device.
I hope all of this information is very beneficial to you! Please let me know if you have anything to add/edit. I don't want these safety concerns to deter you from enjoying our wonderful beaches, but I do want you and your family to stay safe while Finding Your Family Fun!
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