BEACH SAFETY GOES HIGH TECH: Walton to use text messages, electric billboards and aerial banner warnings to educate beach-goers

The Walton County TDC, in partnership with the South Walton Fire District, took advantage of National Beach Safety Week May 23-30 with the introduction of new, innovative methods of reaching beachgoers with important safety information. While the basic rules of beach safety still apply — learn and obey the color-coded safety flag system, learn rip current safety, swim near a lifeguard, swim with a buddy, and don’t swim under the influence — the TDC will try new and innovative ways to get out these age old messages.

“Many beachgoers know that a red flag indicates the presence of dangerous rip currents, but most don’t realize that a yellow flag indicates the need to use extreme caution when swimming, as even a moderate rip current can be extremely dangerous,” said Walton County Beach Safety Director Gary Wise of the South Walton Fire District. “The best way to stay safe is to know the flag system and obey it. If you don’t know, don’t go and swim near a lifeguard whenever possible.”

This season, South Walton’s beach safety programs will be enhanced with new initiatives designed to reach greater numbers of beachgoers in a variety of innovative ways. An SMS campaign allows visitors and locals to text “beachflag” to 77007 to receive daily updates on surf conditions.

“We know we need to push out the beach safety message and technology affords us new channels to reach visitors,” said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County TDC. “The text messaging campaign also allows visitors to receive daily updates on surf conditions while they are in South Walton and ends once they go home. Flag conditions can change quickly and texting updates will allow us reach beachgoers instantly with the flag color status and warning messages.”

Another technology driven messaging tool is the introduction of QR (Quick Response) codes. Posters and print ads featuring safety flag and rip current information will be prominently displayed at various locations throughout the area, and will contain QR codes that allow camera phone users to link to beach safety information on the Internet quickly and easily. The TDC is also employing a digital billboard located on Highway 331 at Bay Grove Road to display beach safety information to incoming visitors along the heavily-traveled route. Lastly, SWFD and TDC will initiate an aerial banner warning beachgoers to stay on shore when surf conditions are at their most dangerous.

As the nation recognizes Beach Safety Awareness Week, the TDC and SWFD will be emphasizing the awareness and compliance with the flag warning system. On red flag days dangerous rip currents can form at any time due to changing surf conditions and swimmers are urged to cool off only at the water’s edge. When a double red flag is flying, rip currents are strong and the water is closed for both swimming and wading. Beach safety flags are updated twice daily, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and posted at www.swfd.org/beach.php.

Lifeguards are currently stationed at eight regional beach accesses throughout South Walton, designated by parking facilities and restrooms, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Regional accesses are located at Inlet Beach, Santa Clara, Van Butler, Jr., Blue Mountain, Gulf View Heights, Ed Walline, Dune Allen and Miramar Beach. Lifeguards positioned on these beaches will be supplemented by roving patrols through Sept. 30.

Visitors are welcome to stop at the South Walton Visitor Information Center at the corner of U.S. Hwy 98 and U.S. Hwy 331 South, for a free beach safety kit. For more information on beach safety, visit www.beachesofsouthwalton.com or www.swfd.org/beach.php.