9 beach safety tips for spring break

Beach safety officials want to make sure you stay safe if you’re headed to the beach this spring break season.

Here are 9 beach safety tips to keep in mind before you head to the coast:

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1. Check flags and with lifeguards to assess the risk of rip currents.

2. Never swim alone.

3. Be rip current wary. Look for darker or lighter areas that are calmer than surrounding waves. These can be indicators of rip currents.

Read: Red tide guide: How to check Florida beach conditions

4. If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and float or tread water until the current weakens, then swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the rip current and then swim to shore.

5. If you are unable to help yourself, wave or yell for help.

6. Only swim at a beach where lifeguards are present.

Read: 9 things to know about red tide in Florida

7. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a beach warning flag program to make people aware of any warnings that may be in place for the beaches:

• Double red flag- water closed to the public
• Red flag- high hazard, high surf and/or strong currents
• Yellow flag- medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents
• Green flag- low hazard, calm conditions, exercise caution
• Purple flag- stinging marine life, e.g., Portuguese man-of-war, hydrozoans, jellyfish, stingrays

Read: ‘Huge’ bloom of seaweed looms in the Atlantic, likely headed to Florida beaches

8. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from where it’s raining. As soon as you hear thunder, leave the beach and take shelter in an enclosed vehicle or building. Stay off the beach for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

9. Jellyfish are common in Atlantic waters and sometimes wash ashore. Jellyfish stings are rarely serious, but they may require first aid treatment. If you are stung by a jellyfish, go to the nearest lifeguard for assistance.

Read: Severe Weather Awareness Week: 9 things to know about rip currents

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Red tide facts Here are 9 things you need to know about red tide, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (WFTV.com News Staff)

VIDEO: Severe Weather Awareness Week: 9 things to know about rip currents Severe Weather Awareness Week: 9 things to know about rip currents

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