What are beach hazards?

A trip to the beach should be fun. Unfortunately, many people are injured or killed along our nation's beaches by hazards such as dangerous currents, tsunamis, heat and lightning. The National Weather Service can help ensure you leave the beach with good memories.



People Also Ask

Read the beach safety signs at the entrance to the beach. Once on the beach, look for beach warning flags, often posted on or near a lifeguard's stand. A green flag means water conditions are safe and other colors mean conditions are not safe. These flags are there to protect you.

MORE DETAILS

Beach advisories and beach closures occur when water testing reveals the presence of one or more contaminants that exceed healthy standards. During a beach closure, water conditions are deemed unsafe for swimmers and other users.

MORE DETAILS

Rip currents, lightning, sharks, sun burn, poor water quality and marine debris — now that certainly does not evoke thoughts of an idyllic beach day, but anything can happen and its best to be prepared. In fact, these are just a handful of the many dangers you can encounter at the beach on any given day.

MORE DETAILS

Drowning is the number one cause of death on private and public beaches, water parks, jet skis, and other watercraft.

MORE DETAILS

Beach etiquette: What not to do at the shore
  • Don't forget headphones.
  • Don't shake out your towel near others.
  • Don't leave behind trash.
  • Don't play among the crowds.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Don't feed the seagulls.
  • Don't run in the sand.
  • Don't ignore local customs.


MORE DETAILS

13 Things You Should Never Do at the Beach
  • Play Music Out Loud.
  • Play Tackle Football.
  • Leave Your Phone Out.
  • Feed the Seagulls.
  • Shake Your Towel Near Others.
  • Forget Water.
  • Keep Your Dog in the Sun.
  • Smoke.


MORE DETAILS

A narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water flanked by areas of breaking waves and whitewater. A channel of churning/choppy water that is distinct from surrounding water. A difference in water color, such as an area of muddy-appearing water (which occurs from sediment and sand being carried away from the beach).

MORE DETAILS

Take care to avoid the following sea creatures*, which sometimes show up on or near the shore:
  • Jellyfish. These squishy critters injure beach-goers far more often than any other type of sea life. ...
  • Sea Urchins. Step on one of these spiny round invertebrates and you'll be sorry! ...
  • Lionfish. ...
  • Stingray.


MORE DETAILS

Rinse Off Bacteria and Impurities: While saltwater has natural disinfectant properties, it's still possible for bacteria or other impurities to be present in the ocean. Showering after swimming helps wash away any potential contaminants and reduc.

MORE DETAILS

When it comes to walking along the shore, our bodies need to compensate for a number of challenges: Typically, we need to trek through dry, loosely-packed sand before making it to the beach. Loose sand shifts under the weight of the body, making leg, seat, and back muscles work much harder to keep us upright.

MORE DETAILS