Are you heading to the beach this summer? A day at the beach can be fun and relaxing – frolicking in the waves, building sandcastles with the kids, sunbathing, napping, reading the latest novel or just watching people. But dangers also lurk at the beach. So before you step onto the sand, follow these tips to ensure you and your family stay safe at the beach.
- Be aware of local weather conditions. If you see lightening or hear thunder, get out of the water immediately.
- Obey posted warnings and flags that provide information about regulations and hazards.
- Ask lifeguards about water/beach conditions and potential hazards.
- Only swim within designated areas, preferably near a lifeguard.
- Learn how to swim before getting into the water. Teach your children to swim at an early age.
- Understand that swimming at the beach is different from swimming in a pool and requires different skills.
- Swim with a buddy. More drownings happen with single swimmers.
- Understand the dangers of rip currents (when the water pulls you away from the shore). If you get caught in a rip current, stay calm. Don’t fight the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. Then swim toward shore. If you think you won’t be able to make it to shore, wave your arms and call for help. To spot a rip current, look for discolored, choppy, foamy or debris-filled water that’s moving in a channel away from the shore.
- Don’t swim near piers and breakwaters where rip currents can exist.
- Stay away from boats since they may not be able to see you.
- Don’t dive headfirst or jump into unknown water. Check the water depth and for dangers like rocks before diving or jumping.
- Watch for and avoid aquatic plants and animals that may be dangerous.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket if you don’t know how to swim. Have young children wear life jackets. Don’t rely on water wings or other floating devices to keep afloat.
- Carefully watch children and elderly persons around water. Waves, even in shallow water, can cause them to lose their footing.
- Avoid drinking alcohol if you’re swimming or watching children at the beach.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (15 to 50 SPF) to protect against sunburn. And don’t forget to apply it all over your foot – even the bottoms. Reapply often.
- Wear flip-flops , sandals or water shoes to protect your feet from hot sand, rough surfaces, sharp objects and beached jellyfish.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Realize walking, jogging or playing sports on the beach may lead to foot injuries like sprains and arch or heel pain. Wear athletic shoes instead of flip-flops and sandals for proper foot support. If you suffer from foot conditions or pain, consider wearing ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics in your shoes to support and protect your feet.
Keep Your Feet Happy this Summer
Custom made to the exact specifications of each of your feet, ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics ensure you receive the precise support each foot needs. With every step you take on and off the beach, your gait will be biomechanically correct, providing you with pain relief.
Since they’re ultra thin and ¾ length, ezWalker® Custom Orthotics easily fit into any type of footwear. You can even wear them in your sandals with the use of a small piece of Velcro®.
Don’t let foot pain ruin your day at the beach, order your ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics from the WalkEZStore today!
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®
Photo credit: Creative Commons/Flickr/Luz Adriana Villa
