Follow This Advice to Stay Safe and Healthy at the Beach

California is known for its amazing beaches, and when you live at The Circle Apartments at Long Beach, you can have your pick of some of the state’s best beaches only a few minutes away. Grab your bike and go for a ride along the Long Beach Waterfront , stroll down the pier at Seal Beach , or lounge around on Alamitos Beach , and you’ll be glad you ventured outdoors.

Going to the beach might look a little different these days due to COVID-19, but you can still enjoy the shore safely. Before you head out the door to sink your toes into the sand, keep these tips in mind to help you stay safe and healthy at the beach.

1. Know the Water

Water conditions change daily, even hourly, and you can get caught in a dangerous situation if you aren’t informed. You can stay safe by checking online for the most up-to-date information on your favorite beach before you go . Keep an eye out for water-quality issues, beach closures, and other problems that could throw a wrench into your beach trip plans. When at the beach, be aware of any signs indicating dangerous water conditions and/or if there is a lifeguard on duty. Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear lifejackets for their own safety.

2. Keep Your Social Distance

The beach isn’t usually a place where you can enjoy your personal space, but feel free to keep people out of your personal bubble when there’s a pandemic raging. In fact, it’s best that you do. Go ahead and enjoy the peaceful sounds of crashing waves while you relax on the beach, but keep your distance from others. Current guidelines describe a safe social distance as a minimum of six feet from others . For now, the state asks that we limit groups to individuals and households only and that we wear masks when social distancing is difficult .

3. Lather on the Sunscreen

Every day is a good day to wear sunscreen when you’re at the beach. Hot days, cool days, sunny days, and even cloudy days are the perfect conditions for sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everybody wear a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher when they plan to spend a day outdoors. Keep your skin protected from ultraviolet rays that can cause skin damage and even cancer. To maximize effectiveness, apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before you head outdoors, and then reapply every two hours. If you’re planning on taking a swim, be sure to select a sunscreen that is waterproof.

Your relaxing day at the beach can turn into a bit of a downer if you show up to a beach that is closed or you get a bad sunburn. With a little planning and some precautions, you can enjoy the beach and stay safe and healthy. Social distancing, wearing your sunscreen, and checking the water conditions beforehand can go a long way to ensuring your time near the water is truly a “day at the beach.”