Beach Safety: Your Questions

Where beaches use them, flags show how dangerous the water is. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) gives a common key: double red means the water is closed; red means high hazard, with high surf or strong currents; yellow means medium hazard; green means low hazard but still use caution; and purple means dangerous marine life. Flags aren't used everywhere and their meaning can vary, and no flag does not mean the water is safe. Read the sign at the entrance. Try the decoder and see what each flag means.

Sources: weather.gov (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

The water is closed to the public. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) says double red flags mean the water is closed and you could be arrested or fined for going in. Stay on the sand and check back later or try another day. A single red flag means high hazard. See beach warning flags and Beach warning flags.

Source: weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

It is much riskier, and at many beaches it is not allowed. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) says to only swim at a beach with lifeguards, and quotes the U.S. Lifesaving Association: the chance of drowning at a beach with lifeguards is 1 in 18 million. At New York City beaches, NYC Parks (opens in a new tab) says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. If you arrive early or stay late, enjoy the sand. See why swimming near a lifeguard matters.

Sources: weather.gov (opens in a new tab), nycgovparks.org (opens in a new tab)

Set up near a lifeguard, name a Water Watcher, and keep young children within arm's reach. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says to always swim in a lifeguarded area, swim with a buddy even there, enter the water feet first and heed warning flags. The National Park Service (opens in a new tab) says to designate a Water Watcher for children and weak swimmers even in lifeguarded areas. Young or inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets. Use the and teaching kids about ocean safety.

Sources: redcross.org (opens in a new tab), nps.gov (opens in a new tab)

Check the water first and tell the lifeguard right away. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says that if a child is missing, check the water first, because seconds count, and alert the lifeguard if one is present. Send another adult to search the sand while you scan the water. Before you settle in, agree on a meeting spot your child can find, such as a particular lifeguard stand, and dress kids in bright colors. Call 911 if you can't find them quickly. See what to do if your child gets lost.

Source: redcross.org (opens in a new tab)

New York City's public beaches are open for swimming from Memorial Day weekend through early September; in 2026 the season ran through September 13, according to NYC Parks (opens in a new tab). During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all city beaches are free. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are off duty and in closed sections marked with signs or red flags. Check the NYC Parks page each spring for new dates. See NYC beach safety.

Source: nycgovparks.org (opens in a new tab)

It can be, if you swim only when and where lifeguards are on duty. Rockaway Beach in Queens is one of the city beaches run by NYC Parks (opens in a new tab), which says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are off duty and in closed sections marked with signs or red flags. It is an Atlantic Ocean beach, so check the National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) surf forecast for rip current risk before you go, and ask the lifeguard about conditions. See NYC beach safety.

Sources: nycgovparks.org (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Pool floats are toys, not safety devices. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets, and the CDC (opens in a new tab) says not to rely on air-filled or foam toys. Keep floats for calm, shallow play with an adult beside the child, inside the guarded area. A child who needs help floating should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. See the beach safety checklist.

Sources: healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab), cdc.gov (opens in a new tab)

Shore break is when waves break suddenly and hard right at the water's edge. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) explains that it happens on steeply sloping beaches, where waves break quickly onshore instead of gradually. Their force can drive swimmers into the sand, causing neck and back injuries and, in some cases, drowning, and the risk grows as waves get bigger. Never turn your back on the ocean, and keep small children well back from the waterline. See shore break and big waves.

Source: weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Rip currents tend to form beside them and can stay there. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) says rip currents commonly form near inlets, jetties and piers, where they are more intense, and the Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says to stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties in the water because permanent rip currents often exist near them. Read why swimming near jetties and piers is risky.

Sources: weather.gov (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab)

Shallow water still needs an adult within arm's reach. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) warns of fast-moving currents and waves even in shallow water, and sudden drop-offs, and says to be careful standing so currents or waves don't knock you over. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) notes that great beach weather does not always mean it's safe to swim or even play in the shallows. Keep little ones close and face the waves. See teaching kids about ocean safety.

Sources: redcross.org (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Young children and anyone who can't swim well should wear one near the water. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says children should always wear life jackets in, on or near natural bodies of water, and the Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, but not to rely on life jackets alone. An adult still watches within arm's reach. See life jackets for babies and children.

Sources: healthychildren.org (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab)

Get out of the water right away. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) says to leave the water immediately when there is thunder and lightning, and if you're in a boat, head back to shore as quickly as possible. For lakes and rivers, the Red Cross cites National Weather Service advice to stay inside an enclosed area for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap. Check the forecast before you go. See the beach safety checklist.

Sources: redcross.org (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab)

Pick a lifeguarded beach and check its hours, then bookmark the National Weather Service surf zone forecast (opens in a new tab) for that area. Teach your family the rip current escape steps and the local flag colors with the decoder. Pack fitted life jackets for young children, sunscreen, water and something that floats to throw. Print the . If you are going to a New York City beach, read NYC beach safety.

Sources: weather.gov (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab)