Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) –  In a concerted effort to address beach safety concerns and raise public awareness, multiple agencies and organizations in Baldwin County hosted a Beach Safety Round Table discussion with the media on Wednesday. The event aims to foster collaboration between media representatives and key stakeholders to help educate the over 8 million visitors that visit the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches each year on beach safety.

The participating agencies included: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments, Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Baldwin County 9-1-1, National Weather Service Mobile, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. (Representatives from the National Weather Service were unable to attend this meeting due to Hurricane Idalia.)

The discussion covered an overview of the Beach Safe Campaign in Baldwin County, current safety initiatives, common beach hazards, safety guidelines for beachgoers, and the role of the media in helping to educate the public and promoting beach safety awareness.

The event highlights the importance of public engagement in beach safety. To date, approximately 34,000 people have opted into receiving daily text messages on local surf conditions. Some local restaurants are participating by using beach safe coloring place mats that they can print from the Beach Safe Website.

There was a request for the media to help encourage partnerships with additional local businesses that cater to the tourist. Such as printing safety messages on disposable cups and featuring Beach Safe banners on tourist-related content.

Drowning is a Silent Killer: Drowning is a significant concern, often referred to as a "silent death." According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. An estimated 236,000 people die from drowning annually.

What are the biggest dangers people face when visiting the Gulf Coast beaches? Far and away it’s drowning in the Gulf, primarily due to rip currents. Numbers from worldwide and the United States below bear that out…

Worldwide:

• Contrary to popular belief, shark bites are extremely rare. In 2022, there were 57 confirmed unprovoked shark bites, resulting in only five fatalities. 
• In 2022, approximately 2,000 people were killed by lightning. 
• Those numbers pale in comparison to the estimated 320,000 people who drown each year. 

In the United States:

• According to the Florida Museum at the University of Florida, in 2022 there were 41 confirmed unprovoked shark bites with only 1 fatality.
• The National Weather Service reports that over the last 10 years, the United States has averaged 27 lightning fatalities per year.
• Again, those numbers pale in comparison to the average of 800 people who die from drowning each year.