But safety warnings aren’t based on whether danger is guaranteed.
They’re based on reducing unnecessary risk.
A lifeguard doesn’t have to know that every swimmer will be harmed.
They only need enough evidence to determine that entering the water is unsafe or potentially unsafe.
That’s a crucial difference.
A Parent’s Instinct Is Often to Ask Questions
When my children and I saw the purple flag, I immediately wanted an explanation.
What had happened?
Was there a jellyfish?
Was something dangerous in the water?
Had someone been injured?
Was there an animal nearby?
Was the beach going to close?
Those are reasonable questions.
But the first priority wasn’t getting an answer.
The first priority was getting my children away from the water.
That is something every parent can remember.
Ask questions afterward. Move away from danger first.
The Ocean Deserves Respect
The sea is beautiful, but it is also powerful and unpredictable.
