JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. \u2013 Memorial Day has arrived, which means plenty of people will be heading to the beach to soak up the sun and catch some waves.<\/p>\n
But there is a rip current risk at Jacksonville Beach today, and Ocean Rescue is encouraging beachgoers to have fun and be safe about it. <\/p>\n
Especially on holidays, when a lot more people will be out and about, parents are urged to keep an eye on their kids and remember that water safety is always a priority, like always swimming near a lifeguard.<\/p>\n
Lifeguards and surf instructors in Jacksonville Beach say parents losing sight of children happens more often than they\u2019d like to admit. In fact, Jax Beach Ocean Rescue reunited 74 missing people in 2024.<\/p>\n
They hear parents asking if they\u2019ve seen their kid, or they\u2019ll find kids panicking and not knowing where their parents are, and they don\u2019t know phone numbers or where they last saw their parents.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips to keep in mind, especially with young kids:<\/p>\n
Set up a perimeter, stay off phones and pay close attention. Consider having them wear lanyards or wrist bands with phone numbers on them. Have them wear bright colors (orange, yellow) to make them easier to spot.<\/p>\n
Another good idea is to keep a recent photo of the child for identification purposes.<\/p>\n
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department pointed out that the Memorial Day holiday weekend falls within National Water Safety Month, making water awareness a top focus for JFRD and the Emergency Preparedness Division.<\/p>\n
\u201cMemorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and with that comes an increase in outdoor activity, water recreation, and grilling, said Director\/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. \u201cWe want everyone to enjoy this holiday. That starts with making smart choices before an emergency ever happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Water safety<\/p>\n
Duval County is home to more than 1,100 miles of shoreline, making water safety one of JFRD\u2019s most critical public safety priorities. <\/p>\n
From the beach to the river, and even backyard pools, residents and visitors have no shortage of places to enjoy the water. <\/p>\n
JFRD urges anyone taking advantage of these resources to treat that access with respect. If you plan to spend time in the water, keep these safety tips in mind:<\/p>\n
Never swim alone.<\/p>\n
Designate a responsible adult as a Water Watcher to monitor children.<\/p>\n
Swim near a lifeguard. Accidents can happen even to strong swimmers.<\/p>\n
JFRD Ocean Rescue Lifeguards will be stationed at Hanna and Huguenot parks to help keep everyone safe.<\/p>\n
Ocean Rescue says it\u2019s always a good idea to keep an eye on the color of the flag flying at the beach.<\/p>\n
Yellow = medium hazard.<\/p>\n
Red = high hazard.<\/p>\n
The National Weather Service put out a rip current statement on Monday, which lasts through the day. <\/p>\n
They recommend swimming near a lifeguard and not swimming against the current if you get caught in it. Make sure to relax and float.<\/p>\n