DCR welcomes visitors to the state's beaches and encourages everyone to take these simple steps to keep themselves and their families safe:

• Swim within designated swimming areas only.

• Be sure children are monitored by a parent or guardian at all times. Young children should be no more than an arm's reach away from a parent or other adult.

• Learn how to swim. Parents as well as children should learn how to swim.

• Read and obey all rules and educational signs.

• Beware of getting too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, or too much strenuous activity when swimming.

• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather.

• Enter the water feet first.

• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving, or boating. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination and diminishes your swimming skills. Alcohol is prohibited in all DCR properties.

• Keep an adequate number of personal floatation devices in a boat at all times. Children in a boat under the age of 12 should wear a lifejacket at all times.

• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

• Practice sun safety as well as water safety: Always wear sunscreen, seek shelter when possible, and drink lots of fluids.