1. The Atlantic.

Have respect for the ocean and its power.

• Learn to recogzine a rip current.
• Be aware of your surroundings and know your limitations.
• Know the water conditions and its depth before you enter it.
• Do not think of it as a pool or lake. It is the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Body-Boards.

• Do not use a body-board if you cannot swim.
  
  
• A body-board provides a false sense of security for many.
  
  
• Do not permit a child to enter ocean alone with a body-board who cannot swim.
  
  
• Quite often children will chase waves (outward), and quickly drift out over their heads and beyond their abilities (adults do this too); subsequently they are unable to return to shore without lifeguard assistance.
  
  
• Floating atop a body-board while in a rip current one will move rapidly away from shore.
  
  
• Be aware of the wind direction. Strong winds from the west can easily push body-boarders away from shore and into a predicament.
  
  
• Learn how to paddle and control your body-board.

3. Digging Holes & Tunnels.

Beach goers should not:

tunnel within the sand;
dig holes to a dangerous depth;
abandon a deep hole or tunnel; or
leave a deep hole or tunnel unattended.

All of the above can be fatal. Holes and tunnels can easily collapse killing the one digging or another. Hampton Beach has a hole depth limit of one foot and tunneling is not permitted (Res 7303.06 Digging; Res 7301.03 Authority of DRED Personnel).

4. Rip Currents.

Many beach-goers fail to recognize rip currents.

• Areas where rip currents are present have lower wave heights relative to the surrounding area, or even none at all. This is due to the observable outward flowing current knocking down or lowering the waves, and or the increased depth of these areas. Many enter these areas thinking that is a safe when in fact it is the opposite.
  
  
• Rip currents account for the majority of assists and rescues at Hampton beach. During a summer season lifeguards assist and rescue an almost equal number of children, adolescence, and adults.
  
  
• Rips that develop from the volume of water rushing toward and away from the shoreline often will kick up sand which turns and mixes about.
  
  
• Tidal Rip Currents - These develop in same specific areas at the same point within the tide-cycle. These typically have a darker appearance in their center due to the increased depth relative to the surrounding area. An uneven contour of the ocean bottom which consists of depressions, a breech within an off-shore sandbar, or large submarine rocks/objects are essential conditions for this type of rip current development. These rips are easy to predict because they appear at the same points within the tide-cycle and dissipate in the same timely manner. This condition does not change until Mother Nature's variable wave conditions fill/level these valleys/depressions with sand. This will result in a more even bottom. Just as Mother Nature can “level out” the bottom it can easily create unevenness.
  
  
• Flash Rip Currents - These are due larger volumes of water and moving toward the shoreline and typically associated with large wave conditions. These rips will quickly appear and remain for a brief time.

(United States Lifesaving Assoc.)
This is a typical rip current formation in action.

5. Lost Children.

Parents should:

inform their children of a landmark they are near when they arrive at their destination on the sand; and
teach their children to go to a lifeguard if they become lost.

6. Self Care.

Always wear sun block while on the beach.

Many times people will not wear sun block when there is overcast. This is when people are most apt to become burned.

Wear sun glasses that have 100% UV protection and adequate coverage.

Poor eye protection can result in a sun burn on the eyes and other damage.

Stay hydrated.

Dehydration contributes to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other problems.

7. Care for Others.

Secure umbrella poles properly and deep within the sand.

Wind will lift a poorly secured umbrella into flight and can cause harm to others. Always collapse an umbrella if windy conditions are present or if you will be away from it for a significant amount of time.

Do not feed the seagulls.

Feeding seagulls causes the birds to swarm and unfairly disrupts others from enjoying the beach. It is also a violation of park regulations (Res 7301.28 Feeding of Wildlife).

Reckless conduct is not permitted; nor is conduct that is likely to result in damage to another's property.

Acting in a manner which might cause or contribute to self-injury or to the injury of others, or act in a manner that creates a situation which requires or might require assistance for themselves or others; or act in a manner that is likely or does result in damage to another's property (Res 7301.30 Reckless Conduct; Res 7301.03 Authority of DRED Personnel).

8. Alcohol.

Possesion or consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited (Res 7303.09 Seacoast Parks and Beaches, sec. (b)).

9. Glass Bottles.

No person shall have glass bottles on the beach (Res 7303.03 Glass Bottles).

10. Glass Items.

Glass containers or items may be prohibited per Res 7301.03 Authority of DRED Personnel.