Digging holes in the sand is a popular past time on the beach, and can be great fun for kids of all ages. But common sense needs to come into play when folks are digging: be careful not to dig too deep and be sure to fill in the hole or holes before you leave the beach. Nearly every year the seemingly innocent act of digging a hole in the sand leads to tragedy. This article by Lexi Holian, written last year for My Outer Banks Home, gives some great information about how to keep the this seaside activity fun and safe, and is worth reading again!
“It is a sad day when something completely recreational can lead to tragedy. Last month, David Frasier and his family were vacationing at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore when Frasier decided to partake in a seemingly common beach activity: digging in the sand.
He was attempting to tunnel between two holes about six feet deep when the sand collapsed, burying him. By the time rescue personnel arrived, family and bystanders were pulling Frasier from the sand. He had been buried for about 10 to 15 minutes and was unresponsive. A nearby registered nurse attempted to revive him, but he died at the scene.
When people are at the beach, their biggest concern is the ocean. They’ve heard of rip currents and deep water, sharks and jellyfish, but most of them have never heard of the dangers of digging in the sand.
The most obvious concern is that people and animals can fall into holes. This often happens to nighttime beachgoers who are stargazing or searching for crabs with flashlights.”
[box type=”bio”]Read the rest of the story HERE.[/box]