Safety and enjoyment of Florida's public beaches

The red flag - captured at the Space Coast, FL

The safety and enjoyment of Florida’s public beaches 

are affected by changes in tide and surf conditions. To minimize the risks of drowning or serious injury, the Florida Coastal Management Program worked with the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association, the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), and the International Life Saving Federation to develop a uniform warning flag program for use by Florida’s beachfront communities.

Florida’s uniform Beach Warning Flags come in four colors, 

red, yellow, green and purple, plus a second red
imprinted with a Do-Not Swim Logo. The flags are accompanied by interpretive signs that explain the meaning of each color. While beach warning flags provide general warnings of overall surf conditions, they do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents.

Why does Florida need a uniform warning flag system?
Many residents and visitors travel to different parts of the state to enjoy Florida's wonderful public beaches, and many beach communitiespost warning flags. Differences in flag colors, sizes and symbols from location-to location can confuse beach visitors and decrease the effectiveness of community efforts to improve public safety.

Beach Warning Flags are 29.25" high x 39" wide.
 

The Beach Warning Flag Interpretive Signs explain the meaning of each flag 

used in the warning program:

*   Red Flags with a “Do Not Swim” Logo: Water Closed to Public

*   Solid Red Flags: High Hazard- High Surf and/or Strong Currents

*   Yellow Flags: Medium Hazard - Moderate Surf and/or Currents

*   Green Flags: Low Hazard - Calm Conditions, Exercise Caution

*   Purple Flags: Dangerous Marine Life

To read more about currents, click this link

Hi my friends,

today a little bit of education about "rip currents" at the beaches in Florida. 

If you like to learn more, just Google this words and you'll get a lot of interesting articles and pages to read. 

It's always good to be informed well about the danger of the ocean.

The photo shows the flag on one of those dangerous rip current beaches in FL.

Thank you very much for your kind comments to my "Wordless Sunday" post yesterday.

I'm happy you liked it!

I wish you a good start in this coming new week - make it to one of your best!

~Susanne

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