Florida has many fine attractions. If you travel there this year, maybe you will check out one of the many Disney theme parks. You can ride Space Mountain and other classics at the Magic Kingdom.
You should know that you can encounter some dangers in Florida, though. We will talk about a few of them that you should avoid if you visit the Sunshine State in 2023.
Car Accidents
2021 saw 108,155 hit-and-run car accidents in Florida. You will see similar numbers most years. Whether you are in one of the major cities or visiting a more rural area, you can always encounter a reckless driver.
If you do, and that driver hits your car, they might speed off. If so, you must wait there and tell the police when they arrive. Hopefully, you can get the hit-and-run driver’s license plate number if a traffic camera or a passing pedestrian notices it.
You should also know that you might encounter a speeder, someone talking on a smartphone while driving, and other motorists who exhibit poor driving behaviors. You can’t prevent these reckless behaviors, but you can avoid speeding or breaking any other traffic laws. If you drive defensively, you can probably avoid most accidents.
Alligators
You might encounter wildlife in Florida. If you’re in the Panhandle, you might see alligators if you enter the swamplands where they live.
You can also find gators all throughout the state, though. They can sometimes show up on roadways, parking lots, swimming pools, and other places where you don’t necessarily expect them.
Keep your eyes open. Know that if you run into one of these apex predators, they can move quickly, despite their impressive size. If you see one, keep a safe distance. They might look lethargic or even lazy, but they can cover ground quickly if hungry.
Sunburn
If you visit Florida during the summer, you will find that it hits triple digits sometimes, especially during July and August. Even during the winter, you can get some very warm days.
You can certainly enjoy the sunshine, but if you’re out there in the day’s hottest hours, you should put on some sunblock. If you don’t do that and have fair skin, you can easily burn.
That’s painful, and if you get a sunburn, you probably won’t sleep peacefully. You can’t find a comfortable sleeping position if you have burned skin all over your body.
You can reapply sunblock throughout the day. If you’re walking around an amusement park or on the beach, bring some with you that you can slip into a pocket or keep in your purse.
Heat Stoke
You should also make sure that you hydrate throughout the day. You can bring along some water or a sports drink that has electrolytes. You can get these drinks at any gas station, gift shop, etc.
If you don’t watch your sun exposure and drink fluids throughout the day, you risk heat stroke and other sun-related problems. If you feel weak or dizzy, get out of the sun. Sit in the shade and drink some water or a sports drink. Don’t drink a soda, as that can’t hydrate you very well.
Sharks
You might also go swimming. Perhaps you’ll swim in the ocean if you have beach access. You can find many public beaches, and some private ones as well.
If you swim in the ocean, you should know that you might encounter sharks. Several sharks live in the sea that you might run into in Florida.
Many times, the sharks won’t bother you since you’re not their natural food source. However, if you splash around in the water, that can attract their attention. If a shark thinks you’re a wounded fish, they might take an interest. They might even take a bit out of you.
Don’t go out too far, and if you see a shark, get away as quickly as you can. You’re in their territory in the ocean, so you might simply stay in a hotel swimming pool. You won’t run into any sharks there.
Drowning
If you swim while you are in Florida, you might also stay where you have lifeguards watching over you. If you swim in a hotel pool, you can do so during the hours when you know there is a lifeguard on duty.
Maybe you’re a strong swimmer, but you should still feel better knowing there’s someone who can dive in and rescue you if that becomes necessary. Most hotel pools have lifeguards, and they should all have adequate training.
Crime
You should also know that Florida has some crime issues, just as any state does. If you visit a major city, like Jacksonville or Miami, research the area around your hotel. Figure out whether you can walk around there safely, especially after dark. You can also ask about safety at the desk when you check in.
Many times, you can avoid danger if you only go out during the day. You can also avoid looking at maps or doing anything else that clearly shows that you are a tourist.
Keep your money out of sight. You might also avoid showing off any expensive watches, jewelry, etc. If you call for an Uber, make sure you have the driver pick you up somewhere well-lit. If you have them pick you up in a dark alley, you never know whether any criminals might lurk.
You should also only use ATMs in or around reputable banks. Do not use cash machines in gas station parking lots or anywhere else where someone might attach a skimmer. Identity theft and other problems can result if someone gets your credit card numbers.
For the most part, you should enjoy Florida. So many tourists visit there every year, and they make some fun vacation memories. If you avoid the dangers we mentioned, then you should arrive home with nothing but a tan and some souvenirs.
