Beach Patrol Sheds Light on National Beach Safety Week with Reminders to Beachgoers
Staying safe has come to mean so much during this past year. At the beach, staying safe is the number one priority for the award-winning Galveston Island Beach Patrol who guard beachgoers along 32 miles of coastline. During National Beach Safety Week, May 24-31, Galveston’s lifeguards remind the public to observe caution when heading to the water.
“Remember, the beach isn’t a pool or pond,” Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said. “There are currents, marine life, and the bottom is uneven with troughs and drop-offs. You should be much more careful and be sure to not exceed your ability. And most importantly, you should maintain good situational awareness.”
Davis offers the following tips to ensure a fun and safe trip to the beach:
Swim near a lifeguard
Galveston boasts an Advanced Level lifeguard service certified by the United States Lifesaving Association. Lifeguards patrol from early morning until dark throughout the summer at the beach parks and along the seawall. Visitors are encouraged to seek out lifeguards and swim nearby for protection.
Avoid dangerous currents
Stay away from the rocks and jetties where there is a chance you could be caught in a dangerous rip current. Also, don’t swim at the ends of the island because of strong tidal currents.
“Never enter a rip current to help someone,” Davis said. “Instead, throw a floating object like the ring buoys and ropes that can be found in rescue boxes on the groins.”
Additional Safety Tips
- Designate a “Water Watcher”
- Never swim alone
- Don’t dive head-first into the water
- Take sun and heat precautions
Warning Signs and Flags
Every day, Galveston’s lifeguards raise flags that signal the condition of the water. A green flag means conditions are calm and swimmers are urged to be careful. A yellow flag indicates caution should be used when entering the water. This flag is flown for normal conditions to remind swimmers to stay alert. A red flag is flown when conditions are determined to be out of the ordinary, including strong winds, strong currents, or large surf. Adult swimmers should stay in water no more than waist deep and non-swimmers and children should be kept along the shoreline. A purple flag indicates a potential problem with jellyfish, stingrays or other marine life that could be a hazard for swimmers. An orange flag indicates there is an environmental warning for air or water quality.
For more water safety information visit www.galvestonislandbeachpatrol.com. For more information on visiting Galveston’s beaches, go to www.galvestonbeachinfo.com.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is home to popular amusements such as The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities. For more information on Galveston Island go to www.visitgalveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.
A Message Regarding COVID-19 and Recent Developments in Texas
The Texas Governor has recently lifted mask mandates and capacity limits throughout the state. However, the health and safety of residents and visitors in Galveston remain a priority for the Galveston Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the Galveston Park Board. The Park Board strongly encourages guests to follow health officials’ and government recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while visiting Galveston. Individual businesses on the island may still require masks to be worn for entry and service and/or uphold capacity limits as they deem necessary.