JUST THE FACTS BY JACK: the beach warning flags - the glob (gigi's fabulous kids' fashions and toys)
Hi everyone! It's Jack. You may remember me from last week's "star of the week". I'm ten years old, and I'm here today to tell you about one of my FAVORITE things in the WORLD (drum roll please...) THE BEACH WARNING FLAGS!
Sounds kind of boring, huh?
But NO! It's REALLY COOL!!!
This is me in 2008 (yeah, I know I look kind of different :~)
standing next to the Beach Warning Flag sign
in Rosemary Beach. It explains EVERYTHING
you need to know about the fLags.
Walton County uses a color coded fLag system to
inform beach goers of surf conditions. These colored fLags are posted all along South Walton Beach.
Knowing the fLag system is VERY important!
It let's you know if it's safe to go into the water!
Let's start with PURPLE: A PURPLE FLAG means
dangerous marine life like jellyfish, stingrays
and/or dangerous fish may be in the water.
My little sister learned about this fLag the hard way!
But that's another story
Next up is GREEN: A GREEN FLAG stands forlow hazard. This is the safest (and of course) the best fLag to see on the beach. It means calm conditions exist, but ALWAYS remember to exercise caution at the beach.
You NEVER know when conditions may change!
Moving up the list is YELLOW whichstands for medium hazard. You see this fLag a lot at the beach. It means moderate surf and/or currents exist. Just be careful...............
Now for theSINGLE RED FLAG which stands for high hazard. This is SERIOUS! It means high surf and/or strong currents exist. Be aware of this fLag! It MEANS business!!
Then for my personal favorite, DOUBLE RED whichstands for water closed to public. This is VERY SERIOUS! It means no one is allowed in the water. NO ONE! Thank goodness we don't see this fLag very often at the beach.
On my 10th birthday, I got the best present EVER! I got to actually CHANGE a BEACH FLAG! I COULDN'T believe it! Lieutenant Steve from The South Walton Fire Department came and taught me everything I needed to know about changing BEACH FLAGS. Thanks Lieutenant Steve!
Here is a picture of me seeing and touching a single RED FLAG up close for the 1st time. You wouldn't believe how BIG they are close up! They are HUMONGOUS!!
This is the special box where all the fLags are kept. And if you're wondering, Yes, it's locked! And next to that is a picture of ALL the colorful fLags. COOL!!
Here I am PULLING and PULLING! It's REALLY hard work!
And finally.... DOUBLE RED is up! WOW! Happy Birthday to me!!
Another fun thing about the fLag system is Seemore the Safety Crab. Seemore is a really cool crab that The Beaches of South Walton uses to teach kids (and adults) about The Beach Flag System.
Seemore even has his own website! (Click here) Check it out! It has lots of great info and links. One simple click on Seemore's site will link you to The South Walton County Fire Department, and here you will INSTANTLY know the current fLag that is flying. Now that's pretty cool!
Be sure and click on Seemore's Rip Current Tips. This is an awesome video that explains RIP CURRENTS and what to do if you are ever caught in one.
AND don't forget about The Beaches of South Walton Visitor's Center. It's at the corner of HWY 331 and Emerald Coast Parkway/HWY 98. They have ALL the fLag information (even a mini fLagset that changes too). Plus, it's a fantastic place to pick up lots of cool brochures and even SOUVENIRS! And the lady that works there, Ms. Betty, she is SUPER NICE!
Here I am with Ms. Betty on my birthday. She surprised me with a Seemore the Safety Crab poster and t-shirt! Thanks Ms. Betty!!
So the next time you visit one of the beautiful Beaches of South Walton, make sure you take a moment to check the BEACH WARNING FLAG. It only takes a second! It's important!! It could save your life!!!
Like Seemore says...... "Know Before You Go!"
Hi everyone! It's Jack. You may remember me from last week's "star of the week". I'm ten years old, and I'm here today to tell you about one of my FAVORITE things in the WORLD (drum roll please...) THE BEACH WARNING FLAGS!
Sounds kind of boring, huh?
But NO! It's REALLY COOL!!!
This is me in 2008 (yeah, I know I look kind of different :~)
standing next to the Beach Warning Flag sign
in Rosemary Beach. It explains EVERYTHING
you need to know about the fLags.
Walton County uses a color coded fLag system to
inform beach goers of surf conditions. These colored fLags are posted all along South Walton Beach.
Knowing the fLag system is VERY important!
It let's you know if it's safe to go into the water!
Let's start with PURPLE: A PURPLE FLAG means
dangerous marine life like jellyfish, stingrays
and/or dangerous fish may be in the water.
My little sister learned about this fLag the hard way!
But that's another story
Next up is GREEN: A GREEN FLAG stands forlow hazard. This is the safest (and of course) the best fLag to see on the beach. It means calm conditions exist, but ALWAYS remember to exercise caution at the beach.
You NEVER know when conditions may change!
Moving up the list is YELLOW whichstands for medium hazard. You see this fLag a lot at the beach. It means moderate surf and/or currents exist. Just be careful...............
Now for theSINGLE RED FLAG which stands for high hazard. This is SERIOUS! It means high surf and/or strong currents exist. Be aware of this fLag! It MEANS business!!
Then for my personal favorite, DOUBLE RED whichstands for water closed to public. This is VERY SERIOUS! It means no one is allowed in the water. NO ONE! Thank goodness we don't see this fLag very often at the beach.
On my 10th birthday, I got the best present EVER! I got to actually CHANGE a BEACH FLAG! I COULDN'T believe it! Lieutenant Steve from The South Walton Fire Department came and taught me everything I needed to know about changing BEACH FLAGS. Thanks Lieutenant Steve!
Here is a picture of me seeing and touching a single RED FLAG up close for the 1st time. You wouldn't believe how BIG they are close up! They are HUMONGOUS!!
This is the special box where all the fLags are kept. And if you're wondering, Yes, it's locked! And next to that is a picture of ALL the colorful fLags. COOL!!
Here I am PULLING and PULLING! It's REALLY hard work!
And finally.... DOUBLE RED is up! WOW! Happy Birthday to me!!
Another fun thing about the fLag system is Seemore the Safety Crab. Seemore is a really cool crab that The Beaches of South Walton uses to teach kids (and adults) about The Beach Flag System.
Seemore even has his own website! (Click here) Check it out! It has lots of great info and links. One simple click on Seemore's site will link you to The South Walton County Fire Department, and here you will INSTANTLY know the current fLag that is flying. Now that's pretty cool!
Be sure and click on Seemore's Rip Current Tips. This is an awesome video that explains RIP CURRENTS and what to do if you are ever caught in one.
AND don't forget about The Beaches of South Walton Visitor's Center. It's at the corner of HWY 331 and Emerald Coast Parkway/HWY 98. They have ALL the fLag information (even a mini fLagset that changes too). Plus, it's a fantastic place to pick up lots of cool brochures and even SOUVENIRS! And the lady that works there, Ms. Betty, she is SUPER NICE!
Here I am with Ms. Betty on my birthday. She surprised me with a Seemore the Safety Crab poster and t-shirt! Thanks Ms. Betty!!
So the next time you visit one of the beautiful Beaches of South Walton, make sure you take a moment to check the BEACH WARNING FLAG. It only takes a second! It's important!! It could save your life!!!
Like Seemore says...... "Know Before You Go!"
