SAFETY AT THE BEACH
Beach season is here! School is out and more of us will be spending
more time at local beaches.
Here are some helpful safety tips to make a trip to the beach
more enjoyable:
♦ Find out about any posted swimming advisories by TBDHU.COM.
♦ Swimming advisories are posted when high levels of E. coli bacteria
are present in the water. Poor beach water quality may cause
skin, eye or ear infections, and gastrointestinal illness (stomach
cramp, bloating and/or diarrhea).
♦ Avoid swimming up to 48 hours after heavy rainfall or on very
windy days. Rainfall can wash bacteria from the shore into the
water and strong wind can cause wave action that stirs up bacteria
in the sediment.
♦ Parents with infants should use swimming diapers so accidents do
not contaminate the water.
♦ Supervise all children so they do not to swallow any beach water.
♦ Use hand sanitizer before eating and after swimming. Sand has
many bacteria present but is not tested. Beach sand can have even
higher numbers of E. coli bacteria than the water.
♦ Place all litter into garbage bins and refrain from feeding birds so
birds (seagulls and geese) are not attracted to the beach and contaminate
the water or sand with their droppings.
♦ Remember to protect your family from the sun. Seek shade or
create your own, slip on a shirt, hat and apply sun screen.
Enjoy a day at the beach and minimize the risks of getting ill. Check
your beach status at TBDHU.COM or phone the Environmental
Health Programs office at 625-5930 or 1-888-294-6630 ext. 5930.
June 2010