would you help?

Really? I do hope to get some people together even if it's a small group. Here's the email I received from Chief Talbert and i'm posting with his permission: Thanks to all. :wave:

Kelly,

Thank you again for interest in further educating beachgoers on the beach flags and rip currents. Your idea is a good one and from my perspective may not cost anything additional other than a commitment of time from you and other volunteers.

Currently our lifeguards in conjunction with the TDC distribute a couple of different brochures and information that provide an explanation of the flag system, the ?7 tips? for family beach safety and other frequently asked questions. The lifeguards at our eight public beach accesses not only guard and patrol their locations they also employ what we call public contacts and preventative measures, meaning, they take the time to interface directly with beach goers, distribute brochures along the way and intervene where they can in a proactive way to point out hazards and danger. With twenty-six miles of beach in South Walton obviously they cannot contact everyone.

A simple grassroots effort may be an additional tool to help us all make everyone?s visit to our beaches a safe and memorable one. I am willing to facilitate a meeting location and obtain the brochures if you are still willing to organize such an effort.

Making everyone?s visit to our beaches a safe one is a collective responsibility between public safety (SWFD/WCSO) our citizens and our visitors. You are probably already aware that this issue is not just focused on our visitors, our residents don?t always set a good example and at times need to be reminded of the hazards that may exist.

Thank you again for taking the time to contemplate how you can help us prevent a tragedy from occurring and making our beaches safer.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,


Rick Talbert, CFO
Fire Chief/Administrator
South Walton FIRE DISTRICT
850-267-1298
SWFD - HOME
"Prompt, Competent, Caring Response in Time of Need"

what a great idea! maybe some sowal members would be willing to get together and talk about ideas over coffee? just a suggestion!

How about a really cool, artsy poster that rental owners can frame and put in their rentals in a place where people can read them. Something read-able, that has the flag system and how to get out of a rip tide if stuck in one (and maybe something about not to leave lights on at night and to fill in holes for the turtles). I think some visitors are honestly naive about safety (I certainly was before I learned about it by having a place in SoWal and being on this board), and just don't think about these things. Even though they see the flags, they may not realize how bad a red flat really can be. The poster could be in different sizes (small for the bathroom - I think people are looking for something to read in the bathroom).

Something that gives people the safety tips, says it's because we love our guests in SoWal, yet doesn't scare them. Something kids would read and then remind their parents of the safety rules. People often don't read brochures (except they would on the beach if someone gave it to them).

How about a really cool, artsy poster that rental owners can frame and put in their rentals in a place where people can read them. Something read-able, that has the flag system and how to get out of a rip tide if stuck in one (and maybe something about not to leave lights on at night and to fill in holes for the turtles). I think some visitors are honestly naive about safety (I certainly was before I learned about it by having a place in SoWal and being on this board), and just don't think about these things. Even though they see the flags, they may not realize how bad a red flat really can be. The poster could be in different sizes (small for the bathroom - I think people are looking for something to read in the bathroom).

Something that gives people the safety tips, says it's because we love our guests in SoWal, yet doesn't scare them. Something kids would read and then remind their parents of the safety rules. People often don't read brochures (except they would on the beach if someone gave it to them).

great idea paula! the framed poster could be uniquely artsy and funn and informative. there could also be a smaller version for a flyer - the TDC or SWFD probably has a flyer already but I'm not sure how they are given out.

Kelly, you are not "just a stay at home mom", you're the mom of two precious babies that you want to keep safe along with all the other folks you like to share your beaches with. You're a thoughtful, inspired mom who'd like to do something to make a difference.
Bravo to you! Great ideas, everyone. I'd hand out some flyers when I'm there if that'll help.

I have some very useful brochures and they're posted in my rentals, but I'm still not sure everyone looks at them. Maybe the poster design could be a contest. School kids could be invited to submit as well. The poster would teach yet be fun to look at - it would be designed to make water safety normal rather than exceptional or scary.

I think a striking poster would be the best way to reach people - especially if it was posted where it would be seen and studied - like in a bathroom at a local restaurant etc.

I think a striking poster would be the best way to reach people - especially if it was posted where it would be seen and studied - like in a bathroom at a local restaurant etc.

agree - maybe several versions. or one new version every year. etc.

Great ideas. I think the hand outs at the beach is a very good idea for those who missed the signs. I also think the poster is great. Bathrooms. Waiting areas for resteraunts, the line at Publix anywhere you have to wait and can't just run right by it.

I vote for an annual poster contest and then the winning posters can be ordered through Sowal/cafe press.

IMO posters should be PG rated, include the year, be humorous/campy, graphically striking, and warn of the dangers of rip tides/how to escape them.

TDC may pay or help pay for the project.. design, production, distribution, etc.
we can't forget to include Seemore Safety Crab for beach flag system.

I don't think Seemore needs to be involved - that probably causes copyright issues.

My vision was local artists producing cool posters that people would want to buy and decorate rental units with - like the old liquor ads or movie/event posters.

TDC could buy them and post them if they wanted, but IMO the less bureaucracy the better. No focus groups, no out of state consultants, just artists entering a contest and Sowallers voting for winners.

I don't think Seemore needs to be involved - that probably causes copyright issues.

My vision was local artists producing cool posters that people would want to buy and decorate rental units with - like the old liquor ads or movie/event posters.

TDC could buy them and post them if they wanted, but IMO the less bureaucracy the better. No focus groups, no out of state consultants, just artists entering a contest and Sowallers voting for winners.

the flag system is very important - no copyright issues - its a statewide beach safety campaign - very relevant and at the heart of this whole issue, imo. but as far as seemore safety crab, I guess you could include him (for consistent marketing) or not. as long as the poster is effective.

I agree that the TDC does not need to have ownership in the project at all, but I know they have oodles of funds and just suggesting they may be interested in helping fund the project (i.e. printing to reduce cost, or artist/design fee if a committee wants to have it professionally done). or not! definitely would rather see the entire project handled by some community members to keep it fun, beautiful, artsy - the more people are involved the more success it will have.

I love the flag system, just think it is well enough represented/a good graphic as is.

My vision is a series of funky WWII type "propaganda" posters about rip tide dangers.

That would have a broad appeal as decor items and on items like t-shirts.

I love the flag system, just think it is well enough represented/a good graphic as is.

My vision is a series of funky WWII type "propaganda" posters about rip tide dangers.

That would have a broad appeal as decor items and on items like t-shirts.

those are good ideas. I would love to see artwork that speaks to the uniqueness and beauty of our community.

Artwork is great, and all of those are great ideas. For the moment though I need feet on the beach. This is what I'm doing: I thought about handing out literature but started to think that would end up as litter, so I've started a facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Our-Swimmers/145909465474701

I'm going to the beach and talking to people about the flags. Most do not know. I'm talking to people about rip currents and whether they know what to do. And I'm directing them to the fb page for videos and graphics on rip currents and how to get out. And I'm letting them know that i'm tired of people drowning on my beach. That's what i'm doing, and I hope you'll join me. :wave: Have a safe day at the beach!

I have seen plastic brochure holders with tops put out with real estate information. I think if you boiled the posters down to brochure size and asked people and HOA's with beach acess walkovers to attach one to the top of the walkover and appoint someone to make sure it contained the brochures it could be a great help in informing people. It is hard for some to pass up such information just out of curiousity. We would be happy to put one on our walkover, the highest on the Gulf coast.