County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:

June 24, 2014

 

Keys to a great beach day: sun, sand and safety!

County offers beach safety tips and reminders

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – Schools are out and it is time for some fun in the sun! County officials encourage residents and visitors to enjoy Monmouth County beaches and offer some safety reminders for your day at the shore.

 

“Our beaches in Monmouth County are ranked the best in the state and we see thousands of beachgoers all summer long,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Department of Public Information & Tourism. “We love to see everyone enjoying the beach, but it is important to make sure everyone is being safe at the same time.”

 

Some beach safety tips to remember are:

·         Learn to swim.

·         Swim near a lifeguard.

·         Swim with a friend.

·         Use sunscreen and drink water.

·         Obey posted signs and flags.

·         Learn rip current safety.

 

“Rip currents pose a big threat, especially when swimming without a lifeguard,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Office of Emergency Management. “Everyone needs to learn about rip currents; how to identify them, avoid them and survive them.”

 

To identify a rip current, look for a channel of churning or choppy water, an area having a notable difference in color, a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward or a break in the incoming wave pattern.

 

“These clues may not always indicate a rip current and so that is why you must always swim when a lifeguard is present and look for signs to be posted where it is safe to swim,” added DiMaso.

 

To avoid and survive rip currents, follow these rules:

  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline.
  • When out of the current, swim toward shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms and yell for help.

“If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard,” said Arnone. “If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 and try to throw the victim something that floats to help them escape the rip current.”

 

 

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