...the vast majority of accidents stem from simple human error. There’s a far greater chance that you’ll be injured by a simple piece of debris or an inattentive visitor than by a shark bite
Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) August 01, 2013
Southern California is blessed with beautiful weather year-round, but the height of summer brings citizens out to the beach in droves. Tourists intermingle with locals to create heavy crowds up and down the coast.
With so many people descending on the waves, there are bound to be accidents. Inexperienced swimmers, inebriated revelers, and inattentive visitors all contribute to an environment that can prove downright dangerous when space is in short supply.
The California personal injury lawyers of the Nagelberg Bernard Law Group have seen far too many injuries take place due to an accident at the beach. The circumstances which lead to such are numerous, but they typically have their genesis in a simple safety oversight with wide-ranging implications. Larry Nagelberg hopes that travelers and locals alike understand that safety shouldn’t take a vacation even if they do.
“Many people fear outside factors like sharks or the sting of a jellyfish when they should be worried about things within their control,” said Mr. Nagelberg. “The truth is that the vast majority of accidents stem from simple human error. There’s a far greater chance that you’ll be injured by a simple piece of debris or an inattentive visitor than by a shark bite.”
With that in mind, the Nagelberg Bernard Law Group has developed a series of safety tips that beach visitors can put into action:
•Visit Public Beaches Supervised By Lifeguards- A beach visitor should never trespass on private property just to have a little peace and quiet from the crowds. In addition to simply being unlawful, citizens leave themselves open to additional hazards brought about by a lack of simple upkeep that would come with a publicly operated beach. It’s also important to have a qualified lifeguard on hand. The Visit California website provides a great resource on acceptable travel spots.
•Refrain From Alcohol Consumption- Many people take the day off as an opportunity to consume copious amounts of alcohol. This proves dangerous not only to the drinker but to anyone that has to share the road with that person when they leave. With inebriation setting in more quickly when out in the hot sun, it’s best to exercise restraint from alcohol entirely on the beach
•Bring The Right Gear- Having a single towel will not suffice for safety. Protection from the elements can be had with an umbrella, light clothing, and an ample supply of sunscreen. And although it will be tempting to walk around barefoot, having on some type of footwear is important. Otherwise, a person’s feet are exposed to broken bottles, jagged rocks, and numerous other elemental dangers.
•Don’t Be An Anti-Ostrich- Meaning that no one should engage in the activity of sticking all but their head in the sand. All it takes is for one subtle shift of the sand to endanger the buried person’s life.
•Eliminate Foodborne Illness- It’s perfectly fine to bring along food for the beach trip, but many people make the mistake of not taking the proper precautions when it comes to preventing a contamination of Salmonella or some such organism. Perishables need to be placed in a cooler loaded up with ice, and any item that has been setting out for more than even a couple hours must be tossed in a trash receptacle.
•Supervision- It’s easy to lose track of a child or even a pet in a throng of people, and parents thus should always keep an eye on their little ones. Kids intent on going into the water should wear life-jackets and have the proper skills. Parents must accompany younger children into the ocean.
•Be Wary Of Boardwalk Activities- Depending on where travelers go, there may be various activities on hand attempting to lure in tourists. One should be wary of parasailing operators or equipment rental outfits unless they’ve conducted careful research prior to the trip. Unsanctioned operations can put participants in harm’s way.
These tips can help ensure that the biggest pain posed by a trip to the beach is sand in a swimsuit.
The Nagelberg Bernard Law Group represents the victims of numerous types of personal injury accidents, including dog bites, slip and fall incidents, automobile collisions, defective products, and wrongful death in any of the above. They have guided injured persons through the legal process for more than 30 years and their efforts have helped secure more than $400 million in compensation for clients. The firm offers free consultations and a host of personal injury resources via their web portal.