Be Safe on the Beach

Posted by Diane Laney Fitzpatrick Jun 26, 2008

My kids were at a Florida beach for spring break this year and my 17-year-old son and I were walking along the beach when we saw what looked like a blue water balloon.

"Is it alive?" he wondered aloud.

"Of course not, it's a water balloon," I said, convinced that its bright, vibrant, blue color was not something found in nature.

Well, as you can imagine, it wasn't a water balloon. And it was alive. It was a man-o-war, which can be dangerous to clueless midwesterners who poke and prod what they think is a piece of litter.

My son and I and are a perfect example of how hazardous an occasional vacation day at the beach can be. Unfamiliar with sea life and its dangers, water conditions, the power of the sun's rays and other beach hazards, anyone who spends 50 weeks of the year on land and splurges for a vacation or two at the beach is a disaster waiting to happen - or at least a day of discomfort from a bad sunburn and a jellyfish sting.

Beach Safety for Kids outlines some beach dangers to be aware of, particularly the sun and its ability to cause sunburn more easily and quickly at the shore. Don't let it get you down. Just pack up that sunscreen and first aid kit, stay near the lifeguards and enjoy your vacation!