Before you go

• Confirm the beach is open to the public.  Many southern  Lake Michigan beaches have public access. Explore the shores of Illinois and Indiana at  Southern Lake Michigan Outdoors.
• Make sure the beach is open. High waves, dangerous currents, and elevated E. coli levels lead to beach closures or safety advisories. Before leaving for the beach, check BeachAlert for Indiana notifications  and Beach Guard for Illinois .
  
• Check the weather. The National Weather  Service  provides   up-to-date beach hazard forecasts as well as updated  information about rip currents. 
  
• Be prepared. Pack plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, bandages, and drinking water. Be sure to also have your medical insurance card, cell phone, and emergency contact information handy. And don’t forget those life jackets and other flotation devices!
  

At the beach

• Ask a lifeguard. They can tell you where it’s safe for you and your kids to swim and what beach-specific hazards to keep an eye out for.
  
• Stay dry when waves are high. High, rapidly approaching waves leave little time to resurface if you’re knocked over. Two-foot waves are all it takes to knock down a toddler. And dangerous currents are also likely to spring up when waves are higher than three feet.
  
• Heed warning flags, signs, lifeguards, and beach patrol. They are there to keep you safe.
  
• Be a water watcher. Designate someone to watch the kids and the elderly at all times. And remember, drowning doesn’t look like it does in TV or in the movies.
  
• If in doubt, stay out. Learn to listen to your concerns and take caution wherever you can.
  

In the Water

• Know your limits. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations, especially when swimming with kids.
  
• Swim sober. Swimming and alcohol are a deadly combination.
  
• Steer clear of the pier. Dangerous currents are almost always present near shoreline structures.
  
• Rock the jacket. Don’t just bring a life jacket, wear it!
  
• Watch your step. Sandbars are always moving and can lure you dangerously far from shore. The water may be a few feet deep where you are and as much as 10 feet deep a few steps away.
  
• Keep an eye out for rip currents. You can recognize rip currents by the tell-tale lack of breaking waves and whitewater. 
  
• Know how to escape a rip current. Just remember     flip, float, follow:
  

• 1. Flip onto your back and stay calm
     
  2. Float to keep your head above water and conserve energy
     
  3. Follow the safest path out of the water. Never swim against the current.
     

• Recognize when someone is in trouble. Drowning doesn’t look like it does on TV or movies. Learn to recognize the signs.