The common beach game that kids love to play – but could prove deadly this summer
BEACH experts have warned travellers that playing a common game that could prove to be deadly.
Wyatt Werneth, a spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association, said digging holes in the beach can lead to serious injuries.
In February, a 7-year-old girl died after a hole collapsed at a South Florida beach and trapped her under the sand.
The same thing happened in New Jersey in 2022.
Wyatt recommends holidaygoers digging on the beach don’t “dig any deeper” than the shortest person in their group.
He also reminded travellers that “sand collapses: it doesn’t hold up”.
These holes threaten the wildlife on the beach such as sea turtles who come on land to lay eggs before making their way back to the water.
Mungeam, from Beach Sand Sculptures, claimed her company doesn’t dig moats during their sand castle lessons.
It can be so freaking dangerous.
Kelly Taylor
It raises awareness of the dangers moats can have on turtles and humans.
She told The Washington Post: “Even after a big hole’s been filled in, if it hasn’t been kind of tamped down, you step in the middle of it and it’s loose.”
Kelly Taylor, a spokesperson for a National park in Texas, revealed that holes had become a major issue.
Besides threatening animals and people, vehicles can also hit them and get damaged.
She added that it was important that people filled their holes once they were finished as “it can be so freaking dangerous”.
It comes after a travel pro revealed a big mistake everyone makes when booking flights.
And this travel writer has shared a booking tip she always uses to save money on hotels.
What not do at the beach
Beach and travel experts have shared nine beach rules that will make sure you're not the absolute worst.
- Personal space: Try respecting it
If you’re going to sit far back from the shoreline, it’s fair game for someone to get between you and your waves.
But in close quarters that shouldn’t be acceptable.
- Pick up your trash
Many beaches have bins and you should use them.
Pack up your rubbish and haul it away.
- Do not spread sand
National etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, told The Washington Post, that adults and kids alike shouldn’t kick sand on sunbathers as they walk, and that beachgoers should be careful with any actions that might spread sand around.
- Do not feed the wildlife
Feeding animals such as birds on the beach is a terrible idea as they are likely to bring others and you’ll be surrounded by 20 birds before you know it.
Human food is usually not good for a wild animal’s diet.
- Do not blast your stereo at full volume
No one on the beach will want to hear your jams at the expense of their music, conversation or thoughts.
- No smoking around others
Many beaches ban smoking.
If yours doesn’t, think twice about filling the salty air with cigarette smoke when you have neighbours close in — or when you’re near a lifeguard.
If you do smoke, remember that the sand is not an ashtray.
- Obey the speed limit
Driving is allowed on some beaches, and, in some cases, speed limits will be lower during months of heavy visitation or when people are in the area.
- Digging holes is dangerous
In February a hole collapsed at a South Florida beach and trapped a 7-year-old girl under the sand who sadly died.
A similar tragedy unfolded in 2022 in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella is not a kite … or a weapon
It is easy for umbrellas to go rogue on the beach.
Check for wind conditions before heading to the beach and use umbrellas that have weighted sandbags.
A pole into the sand isn’t enough tp do the job.