|
Now that we know how to be safe in the sun and in the water, how about
some safety tips on things that can happen while you are on the beach. |
|
The beach, the beach we're going to the beach! |
You park the car, jump out, and make sure that you have all of your toys. You put your
sunscreen on and are wearing your hat. Swimsuits, towels, lunch, surfboard, umbrella,
chair, and radio are all there, lets Go! 
Wait, stop, halt, hold-it what have we forgot? look down
at your feet, lets see 10 toes so there all there but something is missing. Oh I know,
where are your shoes? Shoes (or sandals) are a very important piece of your beach equipment.
They protect your feet from getting sunburned, which is very painful, and also help
protect you from things that may be hidden in the sand. Even though most beach locations
do not permit glass containers on the beach, some people still bring them out. And you
can bet that if they bring it, it will get broken, and if it gets broken someone will
step on it. So always wear something on your feet to protect them.While we are on the topic of your feet, lets talk about footwear that can be worn in the water. 'Aqua-socks' or booties will help protect your feet from cuts and abrasions in areas with rocky bottoms such as Doheny Beach. They wont stop a cut from a sharp object but will add an extra layer of protection. |
| Who brought the First-aid Kit? |
Having access to a good basic first-aid kit is good way to help reduce the risk of minor
injuries becoming more serious. The ocean is rich in the things necessary for bacteria
and other microorganisms to grow and multiply. Special care should be taken for any cuts
or abrasions that happen at the beach due to the above normal risk of infection from
contaminated objects. Another important item you should have with your first-aid kit is
a bottle of clean water to use to flush out any contaminants from injuries and to help
when you get sand or other things in your eyes. Besides having the first-aid kit it is
also important to know how to use it properly to treat any injuries that may happen. |
| What about that Umbrella? |
Having an umbrella with you at the beach is a good way to provide you with a refuge from
the suns heat. but remember, that the sand and water reflect up to 90% of the sun's
Ultraviolet Radiation, so you should still follow all of the normal precautions against
UVR exposure, even when you use the umbrella. The chances of suffering from heat related
injuries are reduced when you are not in the direct sunlight. Chose an umbrella made of
an opaque, light colored material to reflect the sun's rays. |
| How about something to eat? |
Having a picnic on the beach is always a pleasure, as long as you follow some simple food
safety rules. The most important thing you should remember is to always keep hot food hot
and cold food cold. Allowing cold food to get too warm will allow bacteria to grow and
may cause serious illness. To prevent this, use a separate cooler for cold food and another
for drinks. This will keep you from opening the cooler too often and help preserve the food
at a lower temperature. Don't mix hot and cold foods in the same container. |
| What about the wildlife? |
There is an abundance of wildlife to be found in and around the ocean environment. It is
one of the reasons that we find it so inviting and enjoyable. It is important that we
remember why we call it Wildlife, and that is because it
is wild. From time to time we may find some animals that
live in the ocean washed up on the beach. This may be due to illness, injury, or severe
weather. No matter what the cause, you should take the same action,
LEAVE THEM ALONE. In many areas there are laws that
protect these animals. Notify local authorities about the animal and let them take the
appropriate measures.
Let's not forget the airborne wildlife, the seagulls and other birds we find at the beach.
We would do well to remember that Seagulls are scavengers and will eat almost anything they
can find. If you leave food out where they can get to it they will be visiting you for a
free lunch. They can become quite aggressive, not to mention extremely sneaky, when it
comes to finding food. The best solution is to keep all of your food covered and always
put it away when not in use. Also clean up any trash as soon as you can, and put it in
the nearest trash can. |
The California Junior Lifeguard Programs are not affiliated with the California State Parks
Copyright © 1997-2008 California Junior Lifeguard Programs - All Rights Reserved
Please direct suggestions or comments concerning this site to:
webmaster@jrlifeguards.com
Last Update: November 15th, 2007