Rip Currents, Red Flags & Real Talk: Your Summer Water Safety Guide
Summer is all about soaking up the sun, cooling off in the water, and making memories with your family. But whether you're heading to the beach, relaxing by the pool, or jumping into the lake, it’s important to keep water safety top of mind. Drowning is quick, silent, and can happen to anyone, regardless of age or swimming ability. With a few smart habits, you can help keep your family safe while still having fun. Drowning can happen in seconds, and it’s often completely silent. It’s the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and it also remains a top cause of unintentional injury death for teens and adults. Tragically, many drownings happen during recreation, in places like pools, lakes, and oceans, when no one expects it.
See Simple Water Safety Tips Below and Check out this NOAA Video on Surviving a Rip Current
Rip currents are one of the deadliest natural beach hazards, accounting for over 80% of lifeguard rescues on ocean beaches in the U.S. They can form at any beach with breaking waves and are responsible for dozens of drownings every year.
What is a rip current?
A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of water that pulls away from the shore, moving quickly through the surf zone and past the breaking waves.
How to spot one:
A break or gap in the incoming wave pattern
Water that looks darker and calmer than the surrounding surf
Foam, seaweed, or debris flowing steadily seaward
A narrow stretch of choppy or rippled water moving away from shore
What to do if caught in a rip current:
Don’t panic or fight it. Let the current carry you for a short distance.
Swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the current. Once out, swim back toward the beach at an angle.
If you can’t escape, float or tread water and wave for help. Conserve energy until someone can assist.
Teaching kids and teens what a rip current looks like and how to react is just as important as teaching them how to swim.
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Never Swim Alone
Always swim with a buddy, and stick to areas with trained lifeguards when possible. If you're swimming in an unfamiliar area, ask about local hazards before getting in.
- 2
Don't Take Your Eyes Off The Kids
Keep children within arm’s reach, even if they know how to swim. Assign a dedicated adult to be the "water watcher" at all times. Don't assume the other parent is watching. Remember, phones and other distractions can wait.
- 3
Wear A Life Jacket
If you’re heading into open water like lakes, rivers, or the ocean, wear a properly fitted life jacket — and make sure your kids do too. They're not just for weak swimmers. Life jackets reduce the risk of drowning by half for children ages 1–4.
- 4
Check Water Conditions and Know The Water
Know the water. Lakes can have sudden drop-offs, bay and ocean bottoms can be uneven, rivers may have strong currents, and even pools carry risks. At the beach, check the flag warnings, green for calm, yellow for moderate, and red for dangerous. Always take posted signs and advisories seriously.
- 5
Make Home Pools Safer
Install a four-sided fence with a self-latching gate, use a pool cover or removable ladder when it’s not in use, and make sure drains are properly covered. Consider adding safety buoys or markings to indicate deep water.
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