Holiday Safety
Florida State Law requires that you must be 21 to purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages.
Don't drink, but if you are of legal drinking age and you do decide to drink:
- Don't drink too much!
- Decide in advance what and how much you will drink.
- Plan on how you will refuse once you reach your limit.
- Know what will happen if you violate state or local laws.
- DO NOT DRIVE. Use a designated driver or choose public transportation.
Obeying these rules will keep you from becoming a guest at the county jail and missing a night of fun with your friends.
Should a member of your group become intoxicated, never leave them alone. If they pass out, make sure they sleep on their side to prevent choking, and if their level of consciousness is too low to get a response, call 911.
Hotel/Motel
Generally, common sense rules here:
- Lock your door.
- Look through the peephole before answering the door. Don't open it for a stranger. If someone claims to be staff, call the front desk for verification.
- Don't leave valuables in your hotel or motel room.
- Use the buddy system when leaving the room for any reason.
- Do not overcrowd elevators - this often causes a malfunction which will cause you to be stuck with really bad elevator music!
- DO NOT CLIMB on balconies or sit on balcony rails. This can be fatal!
- Experts warn there is no way to entirely
drown-proof your children, but there are guidelines you can follow to
cut the risk
of drowning for children of all ages.
- Don't allow yourself to be taken to an isolated location.
- Don't walk alone. Use the buddy system.
- Never leave with someone you just met. Attend large parties with friend and plan to leave with the same friends.
Sun, Sand & Surf
That new bathing suit has you bearing more skin than ever and it is easy to spend hours partying with friends on the warm sand. Before it's too late, you need to know that too much sun can not only damage and dry our skin over time, today it can cause a nasty sunburn and even death. Prevention is the key here, so follow these tips:
- Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the sun's rays.
- Avoid over exposure - limit your time in the sun.
- You CAN get a sunburn even if it is cloudy.
- Apply sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15, paying special attention to the face, nose, ears and shoulders. Re-apply after swimming and sweating.
- Wear a hat.
- Wear sunglasses with UV (Ultraviolet) Protection.
- Drink plenty of water, non-carbonated, and non-alcoholic drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Be aware of Heat Stress Symptoms.
Although the beach is a wonderful experience, there are times and conditions that are a safety concern.
- Stay within the designated swimming area and ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard.
- Never swim alone.
- Experts warn there is no way to entirely drown-proof your children, but there are guidelines you can follow to cut the risk of drowning for children of all ages.
- Know the flag warning system:
-Red Flag: Stay OUT of the water - strong undertow and riptides.
-Yellow Flag: Use CAUTION in the water - some undertow and riptides possible.
-Blue Flag: Calm water. - Be aware of rip currents. If you should get caught in a current, don't try to swim against it. Swim parallel to shore until clear of the current.
- Use common sense - if the waves look dangerous... they probably are.
- Jellyfish cause intense burning. Lifeguards know the first aid procedure for reducing the pain.
- Seek shelter in case of storm. Get out of the water. Get off the beach in case of lightning.
- Watch out for traffic - some beaches allow cars. If you're driving... obey the speed limit.
| Florida Travel Planner |
| All About Florida | All About
Shells |
