JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Lifeguards at Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue are always vigilant about water safety, but another critical part of their job is watching for children who can quickly wander off.
Bringing families back together after children go missing is the biggest non-water challenge they face, especially during busy times.
Scott Holmes, owner of Surf Into Summer and a surf instructor with more than 45 years of experience, says losing children on the beach is a frequent concern.
“The more people on the beach, the more chance I think you have of losing your kid,” Holmes said.
He’s seen it happen often, even at his surf camp, where parents regularly ask if anyone has seen their children.
According to the Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue 2024 Year in Review, 74 missing people were reunited last year, slightly up from 70 in 2023.
Holmes emphasized that crowded beaches, especially on holidays like the Fourth of July, increase the responsibility on parents to keep a close eye on their children.
He recommends that parents establish a perimeter and talk with their children before heading into the water.
“There’s lots of lifeguards. Maybe go and introduce them to the lifeguards, talk to the lifeguards, show them where the lifeguards are,” Holmes said. “Maybe have some points of reference: an umbrella or a building.”
Holmes pointed out how distractions like phones can take attention away from watching children, saying to “put relaxation last.”
“Get off your phone, don’t be so distracted,” he said.
Tom Curry, a Mandarin resident and grandfather, also stresses the importance of clear safety rules when visiting the beach with his grandson.
“I first talk to him about safety, going out in the water without letting me know,” Curry said. “Can’t do that.”
Curry says his 9-year-old grandson understands the rules and knows what is expected.
When children are toddlers, Curry said, they can “wander off in a second.”
Other safety tips for parents include using lanyards or wristbands with visible phone numbers, carrying a recent photo of the child for identification and dressing children in bright colors like orange or yellow to make them easier to spot.
