Beach Safety Tips

• Swim near a lifeguard and never swim alone.
• Designate a water watcher and supervise children closely even when lifeguards are present.
• Don’t rely on floatation devices such as rafts, when swimming.
• If caught in a rip current, DO NOT PANIC. Swim parallel to the shore until out of the current’s pull.
• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix.
• Stay clear of lobster traps or other similar objects. If you find a trap in shallow waters, report it to a lifeguard.
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help.
• Always follow regulations and lifeguard directions by reading public signage and following public address advisories.
• No glass containers on the beach. Broken glass and bare feet don’t mix.
• No fires or charcoal BBQs.
• Avoid stingrays by shuffling your feet along the bottom. If you receive a sting from a stingray or a jellyfish, seek treatment from a lifeguard.
• Have courtesy and respect for others.
• Beat the heat and block the sun by drinking plenty of water, use a broad spectrum 15 to 50 SPF sunscreen, wear SPF protective clothing, and UV ray blocking sunglasses.
• Pack and pack out trash and recyclables. 
• Avoid digging large holes in the sand and filled immediately before leaving the area.  Holes should be limited in depth to less than the depth of the mid-thigh level of the smallest person in the group.  

For further safety related information from the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), please review their website here. 

For shark and other beach wildlife information, please visit the California State Long Beach Shark Lab here.