Whether you live in the Myrtle Beach area or will be visiting us for vacation, it’s important to understand that the busy tourist season creates opportunities for criminals of many kinds. While being aware of your surroundings always helps, there are more steps you can take to protect yourself and your family to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit this season.
Family Safety Tips in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is a top destination for tourists. Any major tourist area is also a top destination for criminals. Unfortunately, our police and law enforcement cannot prevent every crime so you’ll want to practice good personal safety at all times, whether you live here or are visiting us. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family in Myrtle Beach.
1. Park safely. Always park in well-lit areas and as close to your destination as possible. Avoid sitting or lingering in a parked car. If you must sit for a few minutes in a parked car, make sure to keep the windows up and the doors locked.
2. Lock the car when you are not in it–even if it is in view. For example, when getting gas, take the keys with you and lock the car while you pay for and pump your gas. This prevents anyone from accessing the vehicle while your attention is on fueling up.
3. Always keep purchases and belongings in the trunk or otherwise out of sight. A car full of tempting purchases not only makes your vehicle (or rental vehicle) a target for a break-in, but it also makes you a target for carjacking.
4. Do not go walking or sightseeing alone. Use the buddy system and always take someone with you while seeing the sights or walking the beaches and boardwalks–and not just at night. Use the buddy system during the day as well.
5. Only visit beaches with lifeguards on duty. Lifeguards are there for your safety and protection while in the water and on the beach. Criminals are also less likely to target beaches with a strong lifeguard presence. Not sure which beaches to visit? Ask the folks at your hotel to point you to the nearest lifeguard-protected beach area.
6. Learn beach safety before you visit one of our beautiful beaches. Common risks are jellyfish, sharks and rip currents. Never swim near piers or docks. If sharks or jellyfish have been sighted, stay out of the water or even better, enjoy the pool amenities at your hotel for the day. Always listen to lifeguards and follow their instructions. Never swim in the ocean during swimming advisories. Ensure every member of your family knows how to recognize when they are caught in a riptide and how to escape one. Not only do these measures keep you and your family safe while enjoying the beach, it protects you from criminals who would use such an incident as an opportunity to do harm.
7. Never leave children, teens or young adults unattended. Vacation hot spots also tend to be human trafficking hot spots.
All ages are vulnerable (even adults), however, ages 1 through 25 are particularly vulnerable. Don’t allow your teenagers or kids to go anywhere without being supervised by a responsible and trusted adult while on vacation in any destination (not just Myrtle Beach). This also applies to those who live here year-round. Always make sure kids and teens have trusted adult supervision when not with you.
8. Never swim or operate watercraft after drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol delays your reaction time, making swimming and watercraft activities unsafe. The delayed reaction time also makes you more vulnerable to criminals who would take the opportunity to harm you or steal from you.
Practicing good personal safety measures can do much to protect you and your family from harm–no matter where you vacation or live. We hope these 8 tips help you have the safest vacation with nothing but fond and wonderful memories of Myrtle Beach this season.
