However, increasing awareness of natural conditions which pose a significant risk at the beach, such as rip currents, is a critical element to improve public safety. In the off season, November through February, the Senior staff maintains limited lifeguard patrols on Okaloosa Island as well as participates in training exercises and maintenance activities. If you would like to download a copy of beach flag descriptions to post at your home or business, please click the link here. Purple can also be used in context with other flags to indicate pest conditions. Follow the guide below to assure a safe and law-abiding vacation on Okaloosa Island! Click here to learn more. Rip currents are a strong water current that are found near beaches. The red flag means that conditions are dangerous; please do not venture into the surf. to stay at least 700 feet from the Gulf shoreline. A heavy saturation of floating Jellyfish is typically the reason for the purple flag, but can also signal the presence of a shark, alligator, or sand flea infestation. | okaloosaislandfl@gmail.com. Cover up: Wear tightly woven darker clothing in the sun, as it reflects more UV rays, and look for fabrics made of nylon or Dacron, which are more protective than cotton. Florida's beach warning flag program uses flags in four colors accompanied by interpretive signs along the beach to explain the meaning of each color. The Florida sun shines bright, and even through clouds can burn and damage skin in a matter of minutes. We do not allow fires on the beach because we want to keep the sand white and also for health and safety reasons. HEED WARNING FLAGS on the beach. Swimmers will know they are caught in a rip current by identifying the strong pull from their current location. Beware reflections: Water, sand and even porch decks can reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun. But on occasion, beach rules and regulations are disregarded or unknowingly ignored. Enter one or more recipient email addresses separated by commas or spaces. Be sure to check the surf condition prior to entering the water. Per city ordinance, glass is not allowed on the beach. Everyone should know this one, but we find stacks of abandoned trash, cans, cigarette butts, and bottles every day. This is the flag system you see across the Beaches of South Walton. Please remember to heed the beach flag warning system and enjoy a safe day at the beach! Most often, a yellow flag is flying. The current beach regulations are put in place for the safety of beach goers and the stunning natural beaches of Okaloosa Island. 2022 Compass Resorts All rights reserved. The Department of Public Safetys Beach Safety Division provides rapid Surf Rescue and Basic and Advanced Life Support medical care to the 3.5 miles of guarded and 4 miles of unguarded beaches on Okaloosa Island. Click for current Red Tide and Beach Conditions Info. Once out of the current, signal for help. It is necessary to NEVER enter the water under red flag conditions. large waves. While discovering our beautiful beaches, you might have a few questions along the way. NO FIRES on the beach. . A day at the beach can quickly turn into a week of pain! Dont let your beach vacation at Okaloosa Island end in hefty fines, or much worse, tragedy. CAMPING Overnight camping is prohibited. Our 24-mile long, powder-soft beaches were voted No. Most accidents in the water occur when visitors are NOT adhering to the beach flags, so this system should be taken very seriously, even for expert swimmers. NO GLASS on the beach. Typically the purple flag can be raised in conjunction with the other four. 5 Flags each hold a different meaning from Dangerous Marine Life to Water Closed to Public. We want to keep our beaches beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Copyright 2022, South Walton Fire District. Pick the right shades: Look for sunglasses that are described as blocking 99% or 100% of UVA and UVB, or as providing UV absorption up to 400 nm. What do the beach flags mean? NO BOATING near the beach. The flag system indicates current surf conditions based on what color safety flag is flying at the beach.Please take a minute to study the flag warning system and learn what the colors mean. Swim parallel to the shore until you feel release from the current. If you would like to download a copy of beach flag descriptions to post at your home or business, please click the link here: Download On these pages you will discover who we are, what we are here to do, and how we do it. A rip is often compared to a fast moving treadmill, pulling all floating objects including fish, sea weed, and sea foam with it. Eighty percent of a persons lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18. The South Walton Fire District in partnership with the Walton County TDC are committed to your safety and enjoyment while visiting our beaches. The South Walton Beach Safety Division is constantly monitoring the water conditions and weather forecast to provide the most accurate and timely water and surf information possible. How do I escape a rip current? Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. Beach safety flags have been warning beach goers in Florida since 2002, and in 2005 the state passed a bill requiring flags to be displayed at all public beaches. Animals are not allowed on the beaches for health and safety reasons. Flag colors are determined by the most dangerous surf or rip conditions within the county's beaches and the appropriate color flag or flags are flown at each beach access. African-Americans and Hispanics need protection too: People with naturally darker skin arent immune to the effects of the sun and can still burn. Check your shadow: The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Therefore, the conditions at the beach where you are visiting may appear less dangerous than the beach flags that are flying. Dangerous rip currents may exist in the water, but provide no visible indication from shore; i.e. Learn about current weather and tide conditions.Learn about Destin's Leave No Trace Policy and how you can help preserve our beaches. Be a role model: Teach your children good habits for sun protection. Often-neglected areas are the ears, back of the neck, lips and scalp at the part in the hair. The following are beach rules enforced by the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Department. The Division also provides lifeguard and medical coverage for water related special events held locally such as triathlons and boat and jet-ski races as well as regional response to water related disasters such as floods and hurricane events. For more information on beach safety in Okaloosa County,please visit the county beach safety page. OkaloosaIsland.com is a TripShock affiliate. Rip currents work by moving floating objects outside the zone of breaking waves, typically into deeper waters. red Welcome to the Okaloosa County Beach Safety website. Heres a helpful guide to Destin beaches so you can keep shell seeking, sun bronzing, sandcastle building, and soul searching. No glass containers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all County and City of Destin beach parks. Please remember to use caution at all times. Current surf conditions are 1 in 2020 among the 15 Best Florida Beaches" by US News.From the white sands sculpted from Appalachian quartz to crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, youll delight in the miles and miles of paradise. The best vacations are worth waiting for. The double red flag is raised only under extreme conditions including severe weather or unusually strong rip currents. They can occur in both salt and freshwater, and are one of the leading causes of drowning on the Gulf Coast. Accidents are rare, and most travelers respect the beachs delicate ecosystem. TripShock is the Gulf Coasts leading source for online activity booking. NO LITTER on the beach. NO ANIMALS on the beach. When to toss: Discard sunscreen that is past its expiration date or is over two years old. We are committed to beach safety. It is extremely important to monitor the beach flag warning system. The beach flags provide general warnings about overall surf conditions and do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents. Use your noggin: The best combination for protecting your head is sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Get the scoop on beach safety and the policies in place to protect Okaloosa Island beaches and the beach goers that love them! OkaloosaIsland.com is your source for accommodations, things to do, dining and more on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, FL. GREEN: LOW HAZARD - Calm Condition, Exercise Caution, YELLOW: MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Moderate Currents, RED: HIGH HAZARD - High Surf and/or Strong Currents. This is especially true on our 26 miles of beach. NO VEHICLES on the beach. If caught in a rip current, try one of these two methods. Safety flags are posted at all public beach accesses. During the Beach Season, March through October, seasonal lifeguard towers at ten different locations on Okaloosa Island are staffed by Division Lifeguards while the guarded and unguarded areas are patrolled by the Senior Lifeguard staff. PURPLE: Marine Pests Present. All Rights Reserved. The division is comprised of a staff of 24 Lifeguards who protect Okaloosa County beaches. In 2005, the State of Florida adopted and enacted into law the Beach Flag Warning System. This means enter the water with caution. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade. Apply and reapply: Whatever type of sunscreen you prefer (gel and cream are the best choices), be sure to reapply every two to three hours during times of prolonged exposure. 2019 OkaloosaIsland.com | Your Source for Okaloosa Island Vacations! Only on the calmest days will you see the blue flag (still swim with caution). The Emerald Coast is home to some of the worlds safest beaches. It is unlawful to remove sand from the beach., please visit the county beach safety page, Green: Low Hazard (Calm conditions, exercise caution), Yellow: Medium Hazard (Moderate surf and/or currents), Red: High Hazard (High surf and/or strong currents), Purple: Dangerous Marine Life (Jellyfish, stingrays, dangerous fish). Float on your back or lightly tread water until the rip current dissipates. Beach cleaning machines, approved beach services, and emergency vehicles are the only exceptions. An Okaloosa County Ordinance requires motorboats (including jet skis, wave runners, etc.) Okaloosa Island follows county regulations. Sunscreen for infants: Look for the ingredients zinc and/or titanium dioxide. Resist the rays with help from the Florida Society of Dermatology & Dermatological Surgery!
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