Margate City Fire Department and Beach Patrol’s Beach and Water Safety Tips

The Margate City Fire Department and Margate City Beach Patrol would like to make all of our residents, visitors, and beach patrons aware of Beach and Water Safety Tips and the dangers of Rip Currents. 

Beach and Water Safety Tips  

• Always Swim Near a Lifeguard 
  Statistics show that your chance of drowning at a beach without a lifeguard is 5 times greater than a beach with lifeguards 
• Never Swim Alone
  Many drownings involve single swimmers. When you swim with a buddy, if one of you has a problem, the other may be able to help. 
• Obey Warning Signs and Flags
  Learn the meaning of the posted signs and flags. Flag warning systems make beach patrons aware of current water conditions.
• Obey Lifeguards Orders and Instructions
  Lifeguards are trained professionals – Always obey and follow their orders and instructions 
• Know how to swim
  Learning to swim is the best defense against drowning. 
• Don’t Dive In Headfirst
  Serious lifelong injuries occur every year due to diving headfirst into unknown water and striking the bottom.
• Leash your Board
  Surfboards and Boogie Boards should be used only with a leash. 
• Don’t Fight the Current 
  If you are caught in a rip current, don't fight it by trying to swim directly to shore.  Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, and then swim to shore.  Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will bring you to safety.
• Swim Sober 
  Alcohol is a major factor in drowning.  Both alcohol and drugs impair good judgment, which may cause people to take risks they would not otherwise take.
• Don’t Float Where You Can’t Swim 
  No one should use a flotation device unless they are able to swim.
• Life Jackets = Boating Safety 
  Some 80% of fatalities associated with boating accidents are from drowning. Where an approved Coast Guard Lifejacket when boating.
• Always wear Sunscreen 
  Sunscreen is used to protect you from the sun, reapply as needed and limit your sun exposure for better protection.  Wear loose fitting and lightly colored clothing with a hat and sunglasses.

Rip Current Safety

How to Identify Rip Currents
Look for these clues:

• A channel of churning, choppy water
• An area having a notable difference in water color. Slightly brown colored from the sand churning up.
• A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward.
• A break in the incoming wave pattern.

How to Avoid and Survive Rip Currents
Learn how to swim!

• 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 towards shore. 
• 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.  If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 for help. 

Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current!    

Always Swim Near A Lifeguard!