CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The beach was one popular place to be this Fourth of July.
The holiday and nice weather drawing thousands out to both Padre and Mustang Islands.
The rip current risk is strong and only expected to get worse as we head into the weekend, but there's an unknown danger when you lose sight of a child around any body of water.
Among the sea of stars and stripes is a flag that shouldn't be overlooked. Red flags raised outside lifeguard towers this holiday weekend signal heavy surf and dangerous currents.
"The waves are a little bit strong I'm not going to lie, I told our kids don't go out too far," visitor Desiree Lopez said.
Lifeguards are keeping a close watch for any signs of trouble.
"They're good at keeping up to date with the flags, so whenever you drive up you can notice them and plan your day according," beachgoer Michelle Cheavens said.
Another flag to pay attention to, is purple warning about the presence of venomous sea life.
Visitor Blaze Russell showed 3NEWS the jellyfish sting on his arm.
"I went to the lifeguard and they gave me some vinegar on it; we walked up and they were just like 'jellyfish?'," he said.
Sara Carney with the Je'Sani Smith Foundation said seemingly calm waves can be deceiving.
"It's pretty scary to be caught in a rip current, they basically pull you in, so strong, stronger than some of the strongest swimmers like Michael Phelps, doesn't mater how great of an athlete you are, important thing to remember not to fight it," Carney said.
Instead, float until you can get out, wave and yell for help.
From pools to lakes to the coast statistics from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services show child water drownings are up over last year statewide.
"The secret to family safety fun is supervision," CPS spokesperson John Lennan said. "Does someone have their eyes on children around the water? If the answer is yes, that's great."
Lennan said it's important to plan ahead and pick a location on the beach that is near a lifeguard stand but that responsibility is still on parents.
He showed water safety cards that can get the entire family on board.
"What's important, you can break off the corner of this card and it has a wrist band on it and you can use this as your designated watcher, whoever is wearing the wrist band, they're the watcher, their responsibility is not over," Lennan said.
The cards are free and available to the public, you can pick up yours at the CPS offices on Greenwood Drive.