Visitor Aloha Society Offers Safety Tips

Big Island Now stock photo. July 2016.

With so many beautiful places to see and exiting activities do in Hawai‘i, it’s easy to forget that things can still go awry—even in paradise.

The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai‘i Island reminds residents and visitors alike to keep safety in mind while enjoying all that Hawai‘i has to offer.

Whether you’re boating, fishing, snorkeling or just enjoying the ocean, make safety and personal responsibility the number one priority when out on the water.

Always use the buddy system when going out in the ocean.

Pay attention to the lifeguards and look for other swimmers.

If there are no swimmers, that’s a good indication that it’s not a safe swimming spot.

A good rule of thumb is “when in doubt, don’t go out.”

Pack sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or more. Even on a cloudy day, severe burns can occur. One bad burn can ruin an entire vacation.

It’s also important to cautious around coral reefs. Coral is home to millions of living organisms and stepping on it not only kills it, but can cause nasty cuts that can easily become infected.

While Hawai‘i is considered safe compared to many other US locations, property crime is higher than average.

Don’t leave items in your rental car when you go to the beach. Take anything of value with you.

Most resorts offer in-room safes for storage of valuable items.

It’s also a good idea to separate your cash and credit cards, taking some with you and leaving some locked in the hotel safe.

As always, if you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911 for immediate assistance.

The mission of VASH Hawai‘i Island is to share the aloha spirit with visitors affected by adversity.