Family beach safety tips for every swimmer

Most beach incidents are preventable. The basics — swim between the flags, watch the children constantly, and respect the water temperature — sound obvious, but they are easy to forget on a hot holiday day.

Quick checklist

• Always swim where lifeguards are present, and only between their flags.
• If you get caught in a rip, float and signal — don't swim against it.
• Children need constant, within-reach supervision, even in shallow water.
• Cold water can surprise even confident swimmers; check the temperature before a long swim.
• Stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen after swimming.