Florida is a water lover’s paradise, whether you enjoy spending your time in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, or nearby lakes. However, enjoying the water does come with some responsibility.

You must make sure you understand what it takes to stay safe when enjoying Florida’s beautiful coast. Therefore, here are three water safety tips to ensure you know how to handle everything from sharks to sunburns.

1. Always Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

One of the most important Florida water safety tips is to stay alert! During the summer months, when most people go boating or enjoy the beach, is when Florida develops sudden storms and other strange weather.

To protect yourself, we urge you to go out, and enjoy the day, but don’t underestimate the importance of boating safety. This includes knowing how important it is to avoid:

2. Protect Yourself and Your Belongings

Whether you are on the beach or in a boat, protecting yourself and your belongings is very important. Some things to consider are:

3. Respect the Water

This may seem like a strange concept to someone who doesn’t live in Florida, but you should always go into the water understanding that you are the uninvited guest. Knowing what to do in the event of an encounter with a shark or how to avoid encounters with other wildlife is a key water safety tip for all visitors and residents.

In 2021, there were 73 unprovoked cases of shark bites occurring in the world, according to the Florida Museum at the University of Florida. Of these bites, 47 were in the United States and 28 in Florida. Only one was fatal.

If you are concerned that you could be injured while in the water, you should know it is unlikely. However, there are things you can do to further prevent it. For instance: