|
|
Watch The Weather Safety Rain or Shine
Florida’s pleasant climate draws visitors from all over the United States. But the same sunny skies and cooling afternoon rains that make Florida life so enjoyable also call for some caution.
Sunburn is uncomfortable in mild cases and a cause for medical attention in more severe instances. Make sure you apply sunscreen liberally before enjoying Florida’s great outdoors, and wear a hat if possible.
Dehydration is a sneaky affliction that doesn’t have obvious warning signals. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day—even if you’re not thirsty.
Our summer showers may be intense, but they are usually very brief. In the unlikely event that you find yourself in an open field during a lightening storm, crouch, put your heels together with your feet pointing apart, lower your head and cover your ears. You’ll get wet, but you’ll be safer. Otherwise, stay indoors, stay inside your vehicle and stay off the golf course until the storm subsides.
Hurricanes Unlikely but Serious
Your chances of experiencing a hurricane during your visit are extremely low, and a developing tropical storm can be tracked for several days before approaching landfall. Even so, hurricanes can be extremely dangerous and should be taken seriously.
Hurricane evacuations are ordered by public safety officials and should be honored. Fortunately, many evacuation orders are precautionary and last only a few hours. But it’s still a good idea to keep the gas tank filled and to listen for nearby shelter locations in the event of an emergency.
Hurricane winds can knock down high-voltage power lines. Please stay far away from any fallen cables.
Swimming With Sea Creatures Use Respect and Caution
Every ocean beach in the world plays host to a large number of sea creatures that go about their lives quietly. But some chance encounters can cause real concern. Learn a little about a few of these animals, and you’ll avoid unintentional distress.
Jellyfish is a collective term for many species of balloon-like creatures. They have tentacles armed with stingers that inject a venom into the little fish on which they feed. Avoid water with visible numbers of jellyfish, and watch your step around beached jellyfish. First aid for a minor encounter is a good rinsing with vinegar. More serious stings need professional treatment.
Stingrays also come in many species, and live quiet lives on the ocean’s bottom. Sliding your feet on the bottom as you wade will usually alert the ray and make it move before you meet. Minor stings are easily eased by a soak in hot water. Any significant stingray wound should be treated by a doctor. Stingrays are uncommon along New Smyrna Beach.
Catfish are often caught by surf anglers. If you don’t know how to hold a catfish without getting stabbed by one of the sharp barbs at the end of their fins, play it safe and just cut off the line close to the hook.
Crabs almost always scurry away from waders. But even small crabs have very sharp ends on their pinchers, so please don’t pick them up. The large, eating-size crabs can inflict a serious wound on a finger or an unwary toe.
Driving On The Beach Keep Safe, Keep Moving
New Smyrna Beach provides a section where cars can drive right on the sand. This is a fun way to enjoy the beach, and can be perfectly safe with a few precautions. Simply follow the other vehicles, maintain a slow speed and keep your eyes open for pedestrians.
Living With Sharks Simple Swimming Precautions
Sharks spend their time chasing and eating fish. Usually the really big ones stay in deeper water, though smaller sharks may hunt fish closer
to shore. Fortunately, yearly shark attacks are relatively few.
Sharks are attracted to shimmering objects, so don’t wear jewelry in the surf. Avoid excessive splashing—a shark may think you’re a wounded fish.
Be especially careful when swimming at dawn or dusk, because sharks may not be able to tell a fish from a swimmer in the low light. Swimming with a buddy is a good idea any time of day. Also, never swim where people are fishing. Baitfish may attract a hungry shark.
|
|
|
