Even though summer is still in full force, a lot of people continue to visit the beaches in our area. Additionally, when Labor Day weekend draws near, many will want to cool off in the pool and enjoy the event by jumping in the ocean.

While cooling off in the water is undoubtedly advised, it’s crucial that we use caution when doing so.

This is why it’s crucial to listen to lifeguards and understand what the various colored beach flags are trying to tell you.

When it comes to beach flags, everyone has seen the red, yellow, and green ones. While the ocean is never completely safe, a green flag signifies calm conditions and advises you to proceed with caution.

A yellow flag indicates a medium level of danger because of moderate rip currents and/or surf.

The red flag, which denotes the highest level of danger because of high surf and/or powerful rip currents, comes next.

Lastly, the double red sign indicates that the water is off-limits to the general public.

The United States Lifesaving Association now recommends another flag color on beach flag signs, as you may have observed. Purple is that flag color, and it isn’t usually displayed very often.

The purple flag is meant to warn beachgoers of dangerous marine life. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “If a purple flag is up, that must mean that a shark was spotted in the area.” The answer to that is no!

According to the USLA, a purple flag really warns of deadly jellyfish species like the Man-o-War, which have the capacity to sting painfully, rather than sharks. It also alerts people to a high stingray concentration.

Although they usually fear people, stingrays can hurt people with their sharp tails if they feel threatened or are stepped on.

The red or double red flags, which signal that it is unsafe to enter the water, will be raised by lifeguards if a shark is ever detected. Additionally, beaches might even post signs indicating that a shark was observed in the sand.

However, the presence of purple flags in the air does not indicate that swimming is prohibited.

Before entering, it is advisable to speak with a lifeguard to find out what to watch out for.

You should also always be aware of your surroundings and swim in areas where lifeguards are on duty.

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