Staying safe at the seashore is easy if you put some thought into your vacation ahead of time. The following websites offer a wealth of tips for a healthy and accident-free beach holiday.

American Red Cross
At this site, you'll learn about the risks of extreme heat and how you and your family can avoid those risks.

Project Wipeout
Hoag Hospital's web site provides some basic information on the types of neck and spinal-cord injuries that can occur, how they happen and what you can do to protect yourself. Hoag is widely recognized for its beach-safety program called "Project Wipeout." It's aimed at wiping out beach-related spinal injuries.

Chris McAleer's Wheelchair
Hank Weseman, Jr., a professional speedboat racer and founder of Hotshot Products, has invented an all-terrain wheel system for manual wheel chairs like that used by Chris McAleer who, at the age of 29 became paralyzed when he suffered a spinal injury while surfing at the beach.

American Academy of Dermatology
The academy's site has in-depth information on many topics related to skin care, including skin cancer and protection from this potentially lethal disease. It's aimed at both consumers and professionals.

National Cancer Institute
The NCI website offers the latest news and information on all types of cancers and their current treatments, as well as articles on screening and testing for cancer.

Florida Museum of Natural History
This site is a great resource for information on marine life. It has — among other things — an image gallery and a page for kids with fun and fascinating facts about fishes and sharks.

BlueVoice. org
The organization was founded by actor Ted Danson. Its website is aimed at empowering people to act out against water pollution and preserve mammal species. You'll learn about the organization's work with dolphins and how to help protect whales and dolphins, as well as the marine environment.

Clean Beaches Council
Clean Beaches Council (CBC) is a nonprofit organization devoted to sustaining America's beaches. CBC has developed innovative approaches to coastal management and protection of human health and the environment.

Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC's 500,000 members work to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The official website for the EPA's Office of Water. Here you'll learn the best way to protect the nation's beaches. You also can find out about the water conditions at the beach you're planning to visit.

U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety is dedicated to improving the knowledge, skills and abilities of recreational boaters, while reducing the loss of life, injuries and property damage that occur on U.S. waterways.

National Safe Boating Council
NSBC's mission is to reduce boating accidents and enhance boating pleasure. The organization promotes safer-boating practices through education programs.

Hypothermia: Prevention, Recognition, Treatment
Discover articles, protocols and research on life-saving skills for hypothermia prevention, recognition and treatment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC offers information to help prevent heat-related illnesses by teaching people to recognize the early signs of heat stroke — a potentially dangerous condition.