beach safety
With the help of our friend, Seemore the Safety Crab, Beaches of Walton is committed to Florida Gulf beach safety. Our colored flag system tells when it’s safe to get in the water. The flag system was adopted to indicate surf conditions and keep visitors out of harm’s way when conditions aren’t safe. This system uses the same colors as the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Take note of this flag system and be aware of the conditions before you venture into the water. Signs are posted throughout the beach to tell you whether or not it’s safe to get in. And like Seemore always says, know before you go!
8 Tips for Family Beach Safety*
- Keep kids within arms reach (especially in the sea, but also on land).
- Don't dive in (2/3 of catastrophic neck/head/spinal injuries occur in open water and the sea).
- Knee deep is too deep (strong winds, waves and currents create dangerous rip currents that can sweep a child out to sea).
- Know before you go (know your flags - red means stop/green means go).
- Take frequent brakes (every hour take a sun, bathroom or water break).
- Go with the wind (lost kids tend to take the course of least resistance - follow the wind to find your kid).
- Look but don't touch (call local authorities to help injured/stranded animals).
- Be cautious and swim close to shore.
For weekly beach updates, call 1-866-4my-beach.
*Tips provided by the Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC
