SeeCalifornia.com

No matter where you head for this 4th of July and Summer, there’s a body of water not far away. It’s the perfect spot to play, but also is a place where you can get hurt. The three most common injuries or dangers people will face are sunburn, stingray stings (at California beaches) and getting caught in the currents.

1.  SUNBURN: There are a variety of ways to help minimize sunburn but you might consider bringing or renting a beach umbrella. Though it may not make sense to you now, also bring a long sleeve T-shirt or jacket to cover your arms when they’ve reach their maximum safe exposure.  Here’s a discussion about using sun block.

2.  STINGRAYS:  Lifeguards often teach kids in schools and the public about stingrays appearing in shallow waters at the beach. Most stings occur when people step on the rays. To avoid the painful sting, do the Stingray Shuffle. Slide your feet along the bottom of the ocean when you walk to avoid stepping on them. If you are stung, head for a lifeguard station where they usually are set up to assist.

3. RIP CURRENTS: In the worst case scenario you can die from strong currents that can sweep you away from shore. It was recently estimated that more than half the public doesn’t really know how to handle rip currents. The best bets for keeping safe are to swim near a lifeguard, stay close to shore, always use the buddy system, and stay out of the water if you feel you can’t handle the current’s strength.

Here are more tips…>