Beach Safety for Families

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When it comes to beach safety, whenever possible, choose a location where a lifeguard is present. Swimming in the ocean near an on-duty lifeguard helps increase active supervision for your family. Drowning is harder to see in open bodies of water, and kids often don't scream, shout or thrash in the water when they’re having trouble. It never hurts to have an extra set of eyes watching closely when kids and teens are in or near the water.

Ways to practice active supervision of kids and teens at the beach:

• Keep close, constant watch. Supervising kids and teens means being able to recognize when they’re having trouble in the water and knowing how, when and who to call for help.
• Make kids swim with a buddy. This makes it more likely that someone will see an incident as quickly as possible. Depending on the situation, the buddy can step in to support or call for help.
• Monitor kids playing in the water without reading, texting or scrolling. If socializing, be sure to face the direction of where the children are swimming.
• Choose a water watcher: a responsible adult who agrees to constantly supervise kids when in and around water without distractions.
• Take shifts with other water watchers when supervising to avoid exhaustion and distractions.
• Confirm another trusted adult is taking over responsibility for supervising rather than assuming someone else is watching. Ask them directly, “Are you watching Caroline? I need to run to the car.”
• Watch kids during transition points (periods of time when kids aren’t supposed to be swimming) when drowning accidents are more likely.
• Stay close enough to less experienced swimmers to reach out and grab them if needed. Always keep an eye on stronger swimmers.
• Do not put older kids in charge of younger kids around water. Even if they’re a strong swimmer, little ones should always be supervised by an adult.

The best water safety measure caregivers can take is to actively supervise kids and teens in or near water to prevent drowning and other injuries.

Before kids and teens start swimming in the ocean, keep these beach safety tips in mind:

• Talk about risk-taking behavior. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teens are especially at risk for drowning in open water. Teens may feel invincible or underestimate risk, leading them to take more chances. Explain why beach safety is important (e.g., visibility in open water isn’t as clear, so swim close to the shore and follow beach rules). Peer pressure plays a part. Talk to your child about how certain behaviors can be life threatening. Empower them to make the right decisions under pressure.
• Encourage kids and teens to be honest about their swimming skills. There’s no shame in not knowing how to swim, and it’s never too late to learn. If your child isn’t a strong swimmer, encourage them to be open about their skills with their peers and other adults so they can be properly monitored.
• Protect their skin and eyes from sun exposure with sunscreen and protective sun gear. Learn more about sun safety for kids of all ages.
• Look for posted signs or beach warning flags for swimming risks. There could be dangerous weather, currents or sea life. Avoid swimming if there are warnings about these hazards.
• Scan the sand for marine life or hazards. Be mindful of jellyfish, sharp debris, fishing hooks and other dangers along the shoreline.
• Watch out for inclement weather. Exit the water if there’s a storm. Take extreme caution if you hear thunder or see lightning.
• Teach young children to face the water. An unexpected wave can easily knock little ones over.
• Never swim at night. Swimming in the ocean at night is dangerous because of increased marine wildlife, unpredictable ocean currents, no on-duty lifeguard and decreased visibility.
• Provide less experienced swimmers with life jackets. Remember, life jackets and puddle jumpers are not replacements for active supervision or swimming skills.
• Watch out for rip tides, changing currents and drop-offs, even in shallow areas. If you’re caught in a rip current, stay calm, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of it, turn and swim to shore. If you can’t make it to shore, attract attention by waving and calling for help.
• Watch for others’ water activities such as surfing, fishing, paddle boarding and boating.
• Be mindful of the changing tides to help prepare for a change in water depth.
• Watch out for unsafe debris or surroundings. Rocks, reef structures, and broken glass can cut and cause other injuries. Trash or seaweed could entangle an arm or leg.
• Be sure someone at the beach knows emergency preparedness skills (i.e., giving CPR, calling 911, using an AED) and has a first-aid kit.
• Teach kids and teens to enter the water feet first. Diving headfirst can lead to spinal injury or death.
• Set a “checkpoint” and check-in times. Pick a spot to meet up if you get separated, or a time for your child to call you and check in if you’re not with them.

If your child has an injury or is showing signs of illness, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center. If your child has a life-threatening injury or illness, is having trouble breathing or is unconscious, call 911 and/or visit an emergency department immediately.