Okaloosa Beach Safety will begin active lifeguard operations on Saturday, March 12, and will continue daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., now through Memorial Day weekend.
After that weekend, lifeguard hours are extended from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Labor Day on Sept. 1. Lifeguards will continue to man the beaches through October 2016.
Beach flag conditions will be announced daily at 9 a.m.
Flag warnings are as follows:
●Green flags indicate a low hazard with calm swimming conditions
●Yellow flags — medium hazard
Red flag — high hazard. If a double red flag is flying, the water is closed for swimming.
●Purple flags indicate marine pests are present.
Lifeguards conduct training throughout the year to maintain their qualifications and preparedness for the summer season. For more information, contact Beach Safety, 609-5405; or the Citizens Information Line at 311 (within the county).
Okaloosa County Beach Safety urges everyone to be observant of the warning flags placed along public beaches, swim in front of a lifeguard and make wise choices to be safe in the upcoming summer months.
Download the free Ready Okaloosa App for daily updates, flag warnings, hazards, surf conditions and more. Visit http://okaloosabeachsafety.org and follow Beach Safety on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lifeguards return to patrolling Okaloosa County beaches