Community Corner
June 5th - 11th is "National Rip Current Awareness Week"
The Manalapan Township Health Department wants all residents to learn how to be prepared.
June 5th-11th is "National Rip Current Awareness Week". A rip current is a relatively strong, narrow current flowing outward from the beach through the surf zone and presenting a hazard to swimmers. Rip currents are a common thing along the Jersey Shore. Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States and more than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.
Rip currents can be very dangerous, therefore it is important to know how to avoid them and get out of them if you get caught in one. Here are some helpful tips:
- Only swim at beaches with lifeguards
- Rip currents normally form on calm, sunny days
- If in a rip current, stay afloat and signal for help
- If possible swim towards the side of the rip current. Keep in mind that rips are narrow.
For more information, please visit the National Weather Service website at www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.
