beaches, a warm climate, and endless entertainment options, Florida offers a lot of quality vacation options for the millions of people who visit every year. However, just because Florida may seem like a playground to many, that doesn’t mean that everything is safe and foolproof. There are several vital hazards to pay attention to as tourists and locals enjoy the summer months in our welcoming state.
How to Stay Safe in The Florida Heat and Summer Weather
Most of Florida sits in a subtropical zone, with parts of the southern end reaching into tropical zones. This climate means long, hot summers with extremely high humidity. Though the temperature may not say 100, the heat index often goes into the triple digits.
The Florida sunshine is intense and should be respected even when it is cloudy outside. To prevent an injury or death, anyone who plans on being outside during the summer should drink lots of clear, hydrating liquid. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real concerns. Stay cool as much as possible, and wear breathable clothing and hats to give some shade. Seek help if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or stop sweating in the heat.
In addition to the heat, Florida summer weather can be tricky. Hurricanes and big thunderstorms should not be ignored. If there is a threat of severe weather, it’s important to get away from trees and bodies of water and seek shelter immediately. Do not play outside when there is lightening reported, as strikes are common in the state. Your best bet is to have indoor activities planned for a rainy day.
Swim Safety
Pools and beaches are popular spots during the hot summer months, but it’s important that tourists pay attention to important safety warnings.
Rip Currents Cautions
At beaches, visitors should pay close attention to all warnings posted by lifeguards. If the flag indicates that there is a heavy rip current and swimming is prohibited, then it’s better to stay on the beach and away from the waves. Educate your kids about rip currents before you enter the water at the beach. If you are caught up in a rip current, always swim parallel to the shore until you are away from the current and can swim safely back to shore.
Child Swimming Safety
At no time should children be swimming unaccompanied by an adult. Even at the beach, do not rely solely on a lifeguard for your child’s care. All parents should be aware of the signs of drowning and monitor their kids while they are in the water.
Heed Shallow Water Warnings
While enjoying any body of water across the state, do not dive head first into the water. Unfortunately, it happens all too often that people jump into the water head first and end up paralyzed or injure themselves for the rest of their lives. Pay attention to all posted signs and warnings that note shallow water. When in doubt, do not dive. It’s not worth it!
Cruise Ship Safety
It seems like a few times a summer, we hear about an unfortunate accident on a cruise ship, many of which leave out of a port in Florida. While some accidents may be the cause of negligence on behalf of the cruise line, others can be avoided with simple safety precautions.
- First and foremost, pay attention to all safety briefings and staff safety recommendations. Do not ignore safety features that are presented to you while on board. Some of this information may come in handy later on in the trip.
- Though alcohol is plentiful on the ship, try and limit your intake to avoid any unnecessary safety issues related to alcohol consumption. Many of the accidents that occur on ships are slip-and-fall type accidents, and we all know how your risk of injury related to a slip-and-fall may increase when alcohol is present in your system. Avoid an injury by drinking responsibly.
- Consider wearing shoes at all times on the deck, even near the pool, as the deck can become extremely hot while cruising around in the sun all day. Some passengers in the past have experienced burns on the bottom of their feet from not keeping shoes on while walking around the hot deck. Therefore, take the time to test the temperature of the deck before you remove your shoes.
Whether you are a Florida local or tourist, you may have a claim if an accident occurs due to the negligence of an organization or entity, such as the lack of signage warning of a danger at a specific business or property. In this case, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal system, and you may be able to recover financially from your economic and noneconomic losses.
References:
Fritscher, L., Leaf Group ; Updated February 13, & 2. (n.d.). Ways to Be Safe in Florida. Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/ways-safe-florida-16635.html
Cruise Ship Safety: 20 Tips for Safety On and Off the Seas. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/cruise-ship-safety-20-tips-safer-cruising/story?id=15390477
Simms, R. (2018, May 13). Does This Injured Cruiser Deserve $6 Million? Retrieved from https://cruiseradio.net/does-this-injured-cruiser-deserve-6-million/
