(HealthDayNews) -- If you're a beach baby who loves spending time jumping the waves and swimming with the tide, you know how unpredictable the ocean can be.

Stay safe by following these American Red Cross guidelines:

• Never swim alone.
• Check the surf conditions before you enter the water. Check for any warning flags or check with the lifeguard for water conditions, beach conditions, and potential hazards.
• Stay away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms when you swim.
• Watch for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants, and leave any sea animals alone.
• Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back to shore.
• If you get caught in a current, don't try to swim against it. Slowly swim out of the current by swimming across it.