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By Mike Causey

Both the calendar and the thermometer tell us that summer has arrived.

As the Independence Day holiday approaches, many North Carolina families will head to one of our beautiful beaches to cool off and enjoy our beautiful coastline. When you go, I encourage you to use extra caution when you’re around water.

Rip currents pose the greatest risk to ocean swimmers. So far this year, 18 deaths in the United States have been attributed to swimmers getting caught up in rip currents, according to the National Weather Service’s website.

Last year, news reports told us that there were nearly 200 rip current rescues along North Carolina beaches during the week of July 4.

Rip currents can be dangerous and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. Rip currents are stronger than they look.

If you get caught in a rip current, remember not to panic. Stay calm and don’t try to fight the current. It’s best to swim parallel to the shoreline until you’re able to get out of the current.  If you don’t think you can make it to shore, draw attention to yourself by calling for help.

I want to thank the lifeguards and first responders for their vigilance. Who knows how many more lives would be lost if they weren’t there helping keep our beaches safe.

But we can’t just rely on lifeguards. It’s better to prevent an emergency in the first place. That means everyone should assume primary responsibility for their own safety.

Last year, Surf City Fire Chief Allen Wilson told me that one of the best safety precautions to take while at the beach is to never swim alone. Always have someone with you so you can watch out for each other.

That’s even more important when children are around. Parents and adults need to always keep their eyes on their children when they’re near the water.

It’s also important to pay attention to the weather, flags and warning signs. Double-red flags mean an extreme hazard is present; you shouldn’t go in the water. A solid red flag means there’s a risk of high surf or a rip current; again, avoiding the water is recommended.

A yellow flag flying means moderate surf conditions are present; you should use extreme caution. A purple flag tells us that there are marine pests around, such as jellyfish, stingrays or other dangerous sea life.

Never let down your guard, even if there are no warning flags visible. You never know what’s in the ocean.

A dip in the ocean can be refreshing on a hot summer day. Using common sense and a good measure of caution can help your visit be a fun experience.

Mike Causey is the insurance commissioner for North Carolina.

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