Beaches beckon billions of people across the globe each summer. Nothing evokes the spirit of summer quite like a lazy day at the beach. Relaxation is foremost on the mind of beach-goers, but it’s important that sun worshippers take some time to reacquaint themselves with some simple safety measures as they get ready to enjoy the surf and sand.

• Swim only at beaches manned by lifeguards. It might be tempting to go for a quick swim in waters that are not being monitored by lifeguards. Such waters might not be overcrowded, which can tempt summer revelers who simply want to get away. But the United States Lifesaving Association reminds beach-goers that statistics are not on their side when swimming at beaches that are not being manned by lifeguards. According to the USLA, swimmers are five times more likely to drown when swimming at beaches that aren’t being manned by lifeguards compared to swimming at beaches where lifeguards are on duty. In fact, the USLA estimates that the chances of drowning at a beach manned by a lifeguard is roughly one in 18 million.

• Discuss conditions with lifeguards before swimming. Lifeguards can share valuable information about potential hazards that people who just arrived at the beach may be unaware of. They may direct swimmers to certain areas of the water that are safer than others and alert beach-goers if there are any storms on the horizon or threats in the water, like jellyfish.

• Read signs at the beach. Signs at the beach are posted specifically to keep beach-goers safe. Signs may inform visitors about current water conditions, including information about rip tides, rip currents or contaminated water. Many beaches employ a flag system to inform visitors about water conditions. Cities and counties may have their own systems in place, so it’s always best to consult local officials, especially if you’re visiting an out-of-town beach on vacation, to learn about what the flags mean. But the following colors may signify:
– Double red: water closed to the public
– Single red: High hazard, indicating the surf is high and/or strong currents are present
– Yellow: Medium hazard, indicating the surf and/or currents are moderate
– Green: Low hazard, implying water conditions are calm
– Purple: The presence of dangerous marine life
• Apply an appropriate sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends different sunscreens depending on how people will spend their time in the sun. Going to the beach is considered an active way to be in the sun, and the SCF recommends that people apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreens with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 when going to the beach. Apply products as directed. The SCF recommends applying sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and then reapplying every two hours and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Beach days should be all about sun and fun. Beach-goers must ensure their R&R leaves room for safety as they soak up some sun and dip their toes in the water.