When on vacation, a lot of people choose to go to the beach for that much needed time to relax and have a little fun on the side. But with the unfortunate not so long ago event of the tsunami that hit South Asia, people are now thinking twice before considering the beach as the preferred vacation spot. Perhaps the best safety measure is to be informed and to always take a little precaution. Here are a few tsunami tips that may give you peace of mind and help you be at ease with the beach once again.

Be aware of your surroundings. Unlike your home where you may know every crack and cranny, the beach may be unfamiliar to you especially if you are vacationing in a new location. Study the geographical area. Even if the possibility of having a tsunami is slim to none, it helps that you know where you are. Check which part of the inland street is higher than the sea level. It would help you to be familiar with the right pathways that can lead you to higher ground in case of emergency. Go ahead, ask around and take notes on the evacuation procedures and locations that the area has.

Even if you are not on the beach, it is always advisable to keep an emergency kit handy. Your lot should include the basic essentials like a first aid kit, medicines, a flashlight, a battery operated radio, a stack of emergency water and food like perhaps canned goods or candy bars and a wad of extra cash.

Be informed. Sure, vacation is a time for you to have fun, let go and relax. But this does not mean that you should forget about everything else in the real world. Keep yourself updated with current news and events that are happening locally and globally. Watch television, listen to the radio or read the newspaper. Be in touch with the people in your surroundings. They might be able to give you valuable information and updates on the weather status, warnings, safety announcements, evacuation and emergency information.

And once you get those warnings, please listen to them. Do not just disregard them as a possible joke or myth. You had been cautioned, take heed. As much as possible, you should move to higher ground especially if there is news of an earthquake. A tsunami may not be far behind. Another sign to look for is the considerable rise and fall of the water levels. Some may ignore and think of these as a great chance to go and surf. Wrong. Something is definitely amiss, take precautions. A tsunami is composed of a series of waves. When a wave has hit, do not assume that the tsunami is over because surely a much bigger one is coming in its wake. Stay away from the coast. The harder it is for you to see the wave, the safer you are. Also stay away from damaged buildings. Weakened structures can break and descend. Make sure that they have been thoroughly checked before you enter one.