5 Tips for staying safe at the beach

BALTIMORE - As fun as the beach can be, getting there can be half the frustration.  Beach traffic can keep children restless and parents frustrated.

Doctors  offer five tips when it comes to heading to the ocean. The tips include: be careful in traffic, watch out for reckless drivers, drink plenty of water, lather up on sunscreen and be careful playing recreational games.

Volleyball and frisbee are two favorites at the beach. You should be prepared for ankle and wrist sprains. Many people are not aware of rip currents in the ocean.

Doctor McRae Williams, an ER Physician at GBMC says if you don't pay attention, your trip to the ocean could mean a trip to the hospital.

"If you swim you need to look out for rip currents. Always swim with a buddy so that you are not the only one out there. They have lifeguards on the beach. It's always helpful to have someone around that knows where you are. The lifeguard has a lot of people to watch," said Dr. McRae Williams with GMBC.

It's the people that doctors say can be the difference between a busy day and an easy day in the ER for Physicians.  According to U.S. Lifesaving Association, rip currents account for about 80 percent of Lifeguard rescues at ocean beaches and 80 percent of drowning deaths are also due to rip currents.

Children are also vulnerable at the beach. 

"Young kids get out of sight of mom, get caught in the current, get knocked down by a wave," said Dr. Williams.

Doctors say using these tips can keep you safe and out of harms way.