Topsail Island is a popular destination for fun, relaxing, and enjoying outdoor sports and activities. But it's important to learn about the potential hazards that can pose risks to your safety. By recognizing these hazards and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy a day at the beach with peace of mind. This blog will discuss the top five dangers to watch out for at the beach and provide essential tips to keep you and your family safe.

If you're planning your beach vacation and looking for a great place to stay, browse our gorgeous vacation rentals. We have stylishly furnished homes, fully equipped kitchens, fabulous amenities, and ocean views you'll love!

When going to a new area, it is always a good idea to check the rules and regulations to ensure you're respecting the community and environment. Learn more about Topsail Beach's regulations with this FAQ, so you can follow the rules and have a great time here!

A rip current is when the ocean forms a powerful current that flows straight out and away from the beach, pulling anything in its path, including swimmers, out to sea. Rip currents can be hazardous, especially if you don't know how to navigate them. But you can take a few easy-to-remember steps if you find yourself in a rip current.

1. Stay calm and conserve your energy.
2. Face the shoreline and try to swim parallel to get out of the rip current.
3. Call for help and wave your hands.

Rip currents will not pull you under; they push you out to sea but eventually dissolve before too long. If you remain calm, you can conserve your energy to swim parallel to the shoreline or to swim back with the waves once the rip current slows. The below video is excellent to watch with your kids and to learn more about staying safe in a rip current.

Before going to the beach, always check the weather and tide information to make yourself aware of potential storms and high tides. Knowing forecasts is important so you don't get caught off guard at the beach and stuck in an unsafe situation. It takes just a few minutes to look this information up online to keep you and your family safe. And if there is bad weather, never go into the ocean when there is lightning or other strong storms. If you hear thunder, seek shelter and wait until the storm passes.

If you haven't been to the ocean before, don't have experience with ocean waves, or are not an experienced swimmer, rough waves and surf might be hard to navigate. The ocean can seem very predictable but suddenly become unpredictable, including rogue waves, which can catch even experienced swimmers off-guard. 

Staying alert when on the beach and watching for dangers is imperative. If you have kids or pets, always keep them close to you when by the water to ensure they don't get swept out by a powerful wave. Never push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and stay close to shore when swimming. If you don't know how to swim and can take swimming lessons before your beach vacation, it will increase your safety when at the beach.

Sunburns and heatstroke are much easier to get than people think. And sometimes it's hard to remember when you're having fun at the beach. But it can be potentially dangerous if you don't know the signs and how to prevent them. If you're not used to hot, humid conditions, then you'll want to read more about this and how to acclimate to the climate and stay safe. To prevent sunburns, regularly apply sunscreen according to the directions and always after getting out of the water. 

Heatstroke is generally easy to prevent if you take it easy and don't over-exercise yourself. Stay hydrated with water and drinks with electrolytes, like sports drinks. Stay covered with sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing. 

Take shade, such as a pop-up tent or beach shade, to provide additional ways to cool off or get out of the sun. Also, note what time of day you'll be at the beach. Afternoon hours tend to be much hotter than mornings and late evenings, so don't overexert yourself, especially if you're feeling hot or tired. 

If you're taking a cooler, freeze your drinks the night before and put as much ice in the cooler as possible. Also, covering it with a towel or under a shade can help the ice melt more slowly. Look out for your kids and pets, especially if they are not used to hot, humid climates.

Be careful of any marine life you may encounter, like jellyfish and stingrays, which can be hazardous to humans even if they're dead. Never touch them with your bare hands to avoid getting stung. If you do get stung, seek medical attention immediately.

But also take care to be respectful of wildlife. Many species share the beach and ocean with humans, so it's crucial that we take care to respect their habitat. Use products that are not toxic to the environment, like reef-safe sunscreen and environmentally friendly bug spray. 

Avoid using baby powder with talc, which harms the environment. Please pick up all your trash and try to leave the beach better than you found it. As beachcombers know, the ocean constantly gives us gifts, so keeping the beaches clean can be our gift back.

Digging holes in the sand is something most people love doing. And very few people think there is any harm in digging these holes because they're unaware of the dangers to humans and wildlife. 

However, digging holes can be very dangerous, from ankle sprains to potentially lethal situations, depending on the size of the hole. 

Every year human and wildlife lives are lost to these holes, people are injured, and these can even cause damage to beach vehicles. To keep yourself safe and everyone around you, only dig holes no deeper than knee-high to the smallest human that could end up in it. 

Monitor your kids if they're digging holes, and teach them about beach safety and looking out for others. Always cover the hole back up so no one is injured by it, including baby sea turtles trying to find their way to the ocean that could fall in and get stuck.

In the event of an emergency, always dial 911.

Despite all these potential hazards and dangers, the beach is safe if you follow the rules, check weather conditions and tide information, and stay alert to your surroundings. 

Also, pay attention to how you feel to ensure you're staying hydrated and cool. Check in with your family and friends to ensure they're doing okay too. Getting distracted at the beach is easy, especially when having fun. So, share this blog and these tips with those you love, do further research on any subjects you feel you need more information on, and stay informed about the area you'll be in. 

As long as you stay up to date, educate those around you, and stay alert when outdoors, you can have fun at the beach and feel safe knowing you know what to do should a potential danger or hazard arise. And that is staying safe at the beach! 

If you're planning your summer vacation to Topsail Island and looking for great places to stay, we have many beautiful property rentals you will love. 

Each one has its own unique style, fabulous amenities, and a fully equipped kitchen so you can make delicious home-cooked summer dishes while on vacation. Nothing beats feeling like you're at your home away from home! Browse our stylish vacation rentals and book your stay with us today!