Ocean City, Maryland is a wonderful destination for summer family vacations, couples’ getaways, trips with friends, or any other group you might travel with! With our clean & safe beaches, inviting atmosphere, and a slew of great restaurants, Ocean City, MD is without a doubt one of the hottest vacation destinations on the east coast. While we could go on and on about how awesome Ocean City is, we want to make sure you are staying safe on your vacation! Here are some crucial beach safety tips to make sure your vacation to Ocean City, MD in one of Central Reservations stunning summer rentals is a safe one!
Beach Safety Tip #1: Only swim in the ocean when lifeguards are on duty
If you’re on your summer vacation to OCMD and like to take a nice swim in the ocean, make sure you are only swimming when there is a lifeguard on duty. Here in OC, we have one of the best Lifeguard crews in the entire Country! They go through extensive training and are always on alert. There is a lifeguard on duty every few streets from 10:00AM – 5:00PM. Make sure if you’re going to be enjoying a swim that you do so during those hours. We know you’re a great swimmer, but just in case something goes wrong, you want a lifeguard there to assist you if needed!
Beach Safety Tip #2: Understand Rip Currents
As you probably already know, the ocean is VERY strong, and one of the most dangerous things for swimmers is of course, rip currents. Rip currents are powerful sections of water in the ocean that can pull the best swimmers away from the shore. Before you go for your swim in the ocean, make sure there isn’t a warning about rip currents in your area that day. If there is a warning, we highly recommend that you stay out of the water. If you do find yourself stuck in a rip current, the number one thing you want to keep in mind is to stay calm, and swim parallel to the beach. Once you feel that you are past the rip current, swim back into shore at an angle. If needed, start to tread water and signal for help. Moral of the story, make sure you stay safe when you’re swimming in the ocean, and don’t go too far out.
Beach Safety Tip #3: Use Crosswalks & Follow Traffic Signals
Ocean City, MD can be extremely busy with a lot of traffic, particularly in the summer months. When you are taking a stroll down coastal highway to go to your Favorite restaurant in OCMD, the chances that you’ll have to cross the street are pretty high. When you do have to cross the street, make sure you obey traffic signals, and use crosswalks. Not only will this keep you safe… it will keep you from getting a ticket for jay walking too! Before you cross the street, make sure you look both ways, the walking signal is flashing, and you are using a crosswalk!
Beach Safety Tip #4: Be Cautious on Bikes
Biking is a fantastic way to explore the town of Ocean City, and who doesn’t love a morning bike ride at the beach? While we all love a good bike ride, safety always comes first. Make sure your kids are wearing helmets, stay alert and watch for vehicles, and OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS. Just because you’re on a bike doesn’t mean you can run red lights… not only is it dangerous, you can get a ticket for this too! Last, but not least, try to avoid biking on the main road of coastal highway when possible. While most of the road has a bike lane, it is safer to use back roads like St. Louis Ave when you are further south than 28th street.
P.S. check out our friends at Bike World!
Beach Safety Tip #5: Stay Hydrated & Use Sunscreen
We feel like these tips should go without saying, but make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and using sunscreen when you’re on the beach. Staying hydrated can be difficult during the hot summer months, so make sure you pack a cooler with plenty of water or bring a big yeti water bottle! Sometimes the ocean breeze can make it feel like the sun isn’t that strong that day, but believe us, it probably is. Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen… we’ve all made the mistake of getting a bad sun burn once or twice, and it really isn’t too much fun!
Stay Safe at The Beach!
If you and your family or group of friends follow all of these beach safety tips, you’re sure to create lasting memories while you’re here in our awesome town of Ocean City, MD. If you’re ready to plan your next summer vacation to OCMD, you can book one of our fantastic summer rentals in OCMD on our website at centraloc.com! If you need any help with booking, feel free to give us a call at (410) 723-4111 or send us an email at info@centraloc.com!
See you at the beach soon!