Purple flags are flying at the beach to indicate an increased number of stingrays in the water, public safety officials say. Because the stingrays tend to bury themselves beneath the sand, swimmers should do the “stingray shuffle” and shuffle their feet when entering the water. The disturbance causes stingrays to swim away.

If you’re stung by a stingray, find a lifeguard immediately. Fire crews at one station near the beach have also been busy treating stings.

Usually, people are stung when they accidentally step on a stingray. The creature activates the stinger in its tail for self-defense.

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