Whenever people think of fun beach vacations, they often conjure up images of California, Florida and the Gulf Coast. Residents of Chicago, IL, however, have a very well kept secret: tons of beaches. From Oakwood Beach in Burnham Park to Rainbow Beach on the South Shore, there’s literally a plethora of lakeside shoreline to enjoy. While enjoying all of these sites, though, it’s imperative to make safety a priority. Avoiding injuries and having a plan if one is sustained can definitely make a waterside vacation more enjoyable.
Follow the Rules
One of the easiest ways to avoid injuries at the beach is to follow the rules. If signs say not to waterski in an area, for instance, then it’s absolutely essential not to do so. If an area is marked as a no swimming area, then that warning should be heeded. It’s even vital to pay attention to and follow all instructions from companies whose services are being used for water sports. In the vast majority of cases, rules aren’t made up to limit fun; they’re made to keep people safe.
Never Swim Alone
Most people view swimming as a much safer activity than any water sport that could be enjoyed, but this doesn’t mean that there are no dangers. If something does happen while swimming, a person may be in dire straits if there’s no one around them to help them. This is why it’s imperative for a person to always have someone with them whenever they decide to enjoy the lake.
Stay Hydrated
It’s also important to stay hydrated while at Chicago’s beaches. The commonly cool weather may make people forget the need to take water or sports drinks with them to the beach, but it’s one of the most important things that they can do. While swimming or playing sports, becoming dehydrated can easily lead to a person blacking out. While this would be especially detrimental in the water, blacking out during any activity is dangerous.
Never Swim at Dark
Another less than safe beach activity is swimming after night has fallen. This easily decreases the chance that anyone will notice if a swimmer gets into trouble. Additionally, it becomes quite easy to lose a sense of direction when it’s dark outside, so a swimmer could actually be heading towards danger without even knowing it.
Also important to note is that rip currents can be very dangerous at night. Add this to the fact that Lake Michigan’s rip current fatalities are the highest of any of the Great Lakes, and it becomes obvious that swimming at night is a bad idea.
After an Accident
Unfortunately, even the most safety conscious people can experience accidents due to other people’s negligence. As with any accident, medical attention should be sought immediately. It’s also important, however, to get the contact information of the at-fault party (especially if it’s not a company) and any witnesses to the accident.
Getting a personal injury attorney is also pertinent since any type of injury can lead to medical bills, lost wages and even permanent injuries. Area legal professionals, found online at a service like www.chicago-injuryattorney.net, are often able to secure relatively quick settlements so that a person can get on the path to recovery after an accident. This will definitely help people to get back out to the beach sooner rather than later.
The number of enjoyable activities on the beaches of Chicago is awe inspiring. From soaking up the sun to waterskiing, there’s enough to keep anyone busy for the entirety of their stay. Staying safe, however, should always be a top concern when enjoying the Windy City’s shores. It’s fun to take some time off and enjoy the waterside, but when care isn’t taken to keep oneself safe, a fun getaway may turn into a stressful event.
Ann Bailey is a beach enthusiast and encourages everyone on their travels to get out and enjoy the fresh breeze across the water. Vigilant legal help is available from www.chicago-injuryattorney.net should any accident occur at the fault of another in the Windy City, and you find yourself needing assitance for compensation for your injuires.
