Why Digging Holes At The Beach Is Extremely Hazardous For Visitors, First Responders, And Wildlife

Most beachgoers know that hitting the shoreline comes with some dangers– including the risk of rip currents, sunburn, and pollution, to name a few.
But, a lesser known risk concerns the large beach holes that kids and adults alike often dig in the sand.
These holes, when left unattended, can be highly hazardous to patrons, first responders, and local wildlife.
The Assateague Island National Park Service, located on the coast of Maryland and Virginia, recently issued a public service announcement on Facebook to reiterate the dangers of digging holes at the beach.
“Why is one of our interns standing in a large hole giving you all a thumbs down, you may ask? Because there has been a recent uptick in the number of large, unattended holes left on Assateague’s beach. And we are talking so many holes… like ‘craters on the moon’ lots of holes!” the post began.
The National Park Service went on to describe why these holes are so dangerous. First, suffering a twisted or broken ankle at the beach is never fun.
These holes, if unnoticed by beachgoers, can result in countless unintended injuries. Plus, the wild horses at Assateague could also inadvertently fall in and become seriously injured.
Second, sand holes and tunnels are not immune to collapse. In fact, numerous people have become trapped inside sand wells they dug themselves.
Facebook; pictured above is one of the Assateague Island National Park Service interns in a hole someone dug at the beach
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This can lead to suffocation and, in extreme cases, death. Finally, holes in the sand make rescue efforts much more difficult for first responders. Officers often respond to emergencies in vehicles that can become stuck or damaged by the sand holes.
Don’t worry, though. The National Park Service does recognize that beachgoers might still want to dig a hole every now and then. After all, it can be fun building a massive sandcastle, carving out a sand table for beer pong, or even burying a friend’s body beneath the sediment.
So, the Facebook post also provided some sand safety tips for beachgoers to keep in mind while they play.
“Dig holes no deeper than knee-depth of the smallest person in the party, fill in all holes– no matter how shallow– before you leave, never leave holes unattended, and if you see any abandoned holes, do your part and fill them in for the safety of others!” the Assateague NPS wrote.
The helpful announcement has since resonated with the Facebook community, gaining two thousand likes and hundreds of shares and comments.
“We have been here twice, and it has become our favorite place. I had no idea that we needed to watch for holes like this when we visited. It really saddens me that anyone could be so careless,” commented one user.
“Please don’t make it any harder for these turtles to get to the ocean!” urged another user.
“Wow! This should not need to be said. Fix these holes, folks! Thanks for the reminder. I just think some people do not realize…” wrote a third.
To learn more about beach-safe activities and view the original Facebook post, visit the link here.
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