Clean, green beaches are always good for family fun

As families and beach-lovers around the country prepare to flock to the shored for the July 4th weekend, the Clean Beach Council has just released its annual list of clean and healthy beaches for “National Clean Beaches Week” – highlighting family-friendly beaches that are clean, healthy and above all environmentally well-managed.

For Summer 2009, beaches in twenty states and U.S. territories, including American Samoa, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, made the final cut.

“Because of the recession, the summer travel season is expected to be lighter than it has been in recent years, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, but still beaches remain one of the most popular destinations,” stated Walter McLeod, President of the Clean Beaches Council. “Even though millions of Americans spend time at beaches, there is still no easy way to determine which are clean and well managed. We hope our program increases public awareness of our individual responsibility to keep beaches clean and safe.”

This year’s announcement coincides with National Clean Beaches Week (NCBW) held annually from July 1-7. This “Earth Day” for beaches has four main themes: environment, healthy seafood, sustainable travel, and fitness.

Founded in 2004, NCBW has grown in mammoth proportion. More than fifty (50) coastal mayors and twenty-eight (28) coastal governors along with numerous counties have issued proclamations or resolutions endorsing the week. On Capitol Hill, the United States Senate and House of Representatives each unanimously passed Clean Beaches Week resolutions, and the U.S. President has traditionally honored the week.

Riding the Blue Wave

The Blue Wave is the first environmental certification program for beaches in the U.S. Now in its tenth year, the program has been called the “LEED” certification for beaches.

To become certified, beaches adhere to best management practices in the following areas: water quality, beach and intertidal conditions, hazards/safety, services, habitat conservation, erosion management, public information and education.

For a full listing of Blue Wave beaches, visit www.cleanbeaches.com.

Making safety first

The Clean Beaches Council has collaborated with Dr. Tom Griffiths, Director of Aquatics at The Pennsylvania State University to produce the “7 Tips for Family Beach Safety.” This guide is meant to help families make the most of their trip to the beach.

Here are some tips to make sure your next beach trip, whether solo or with the entire family, remains a safe one!

1. Keep kids within arms reach (especially in the sea, but also on land)
2. Don’t dive in (2/3 of catastrophic neck/head/spinal injuries occur in the ocean and sea)
3. Knee deep is too deep (strong winds, waves and currents create dangerous rip currents that can sweep a child out to sea)
4. Know before you go (swim near a lifeguard – know your flags; red means stop/green means go)
5. Take frequent breaks (every hour take a sun, bathroom, or water break)
6. Go with the wind (children tend to take the course of least resistance – follow the wind to find your lost kid)
7. Look but don’t touch (call local authorities to help injured/stranded sea life)