When you\’re headed out to enjoy the beaches this summer here are some things to keep in mind to maximize the fun and minimize the chance of injury.

Always take sunscreen and use it, it does no good unless applied liberally and often during the day. People remember to reapply sunscreen after they\’ve been in the water but often forget to do it after just laying out but keep in mind that when you lay out you sweat and the sunscreen is sweated away. Now we\’ve all seen the SPF ratings from 2 to 60 in lotions, oils and now conveniently in sprays but what does SPF mean and what are the advantages, if any, the higher the number goes. Well SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is calculate in minutes so the higher the number the more minutes you get in the Florida sun before fair skin starts to turn red and burn the darker your skin the more time will vary. You get 10 minutes for every number meaning an SPF of 2 gives you twenty minutes of protection in the sun and so forth.

Sunglasses and hats are a great way to protect your eyes from the sun, regardless of whether or not you chose polarized lenses make sure the lenses offer UV protection. Polarized lenses are good for offering a clearer view, like when you look into the water and also in the elimination of glare; they are very popular with golfers, bikers, skiers, boaters and fishermen.

If you\’d like to create your own shade, which is highly recommended when you\’re planning on spending the day at the beach, a beach umbrella is a must. Another popular option is a canopy if you\’ve got a family or larger group these are great, they come in many sizes and colors, a lighter color is optimal because they stay cooler in the sun.

And as you and your group are deciding what to bring down to the beach with you a good thing to include is a beach chair. Beach chairs have come a long way since the days when they all were all set in the sand, now days they are made of light tough canvas; these too come in all shapes and colors. They now include cup holders, foot rests and even umbrellas of their own attached.

Another thing to include is a cooler filled with water or other electrolyte replenishing liquids and some food. You may not think of food as a safety issue but sun stroke is no joke and you burn a lot of calories having fun in the surf and sand. Sun stroke can occur and is brought on when the body gets overheated and dehydrated and if you use up all the fuel in your system your body gets tired and rundown so stock those coolers full of goodies to insure a great time in the Florida sun.

A common sight on beaches are lifeguard stands and brightly colored stations. Lifeguards are trained and certified in CPR, basic first ad and normally have a direct line to police and emergency services.

Sometimes right outside the lifeguard station or the access to the beach you\’ll see a colored flag flying, In Florida these are known as \’hazard flags\’ and are meant to inform you if there is anything dangerous in or about the water so even if there isn\’t a lifeguard by you\’re still not uninformed. Here are the colors commonly used and what they commonly mean:

Green – Conditions are favorable for swimming, low hazard
Yellow – Medium Hazard
Red – High Hazard
Purple – Marine pests present
Red over Red – DANGER. Water closed to public use.

Surfers, wind boarders and those who engage in other potentially dangerous activities take their chances knowingly but what about just the average beach goer what should you look out for? Some of the most common occurrences on the beach are rip currents. Rip currents are caused by wind, mostly, and are simply areas of water rushing back out to sea from the shore. If you should find yourself caught in a rip current the number one thing to remember is, don\’t panic simply swim parallel to the shore and you\’ll move out of it.

So get out and enjoy our fabulous Florida beaches, swim near a lifeguard when you can but if you can\’t remember common sense and a little preparation go along way in keeping you and your party safe.

Author Bio: When planning a visit to Florida you\’ll find that Florida beaches are among the most beautiful in the world and with over 1,000 miles of coastline there are many to choose from. When trying to decide what the best Florida beaches are for you and your group keep in mind that different people enjoy different things.

Category: Travel
Keywords: beaches,safety,health,family,summer,vacation,sun protection,beach accessories,life guards,sunscreen