NAGS HEAD, N.C. – Officials in Nags Head are warning people about the hidden dangers of sand holes.
- Large holes make it difficult for ocean rescue personnel to quickly provide emergency services
- Sand collapses can occur in holes that are just a few feet deep
- Large holes are obstructions for female sea turtles laying nests on the beach
Officials posted on Facebook on Tuesday warning about the dangers of digging large sand holes. They warned that they can be hard to see, are dangerous for people and wildlife, and make it difficult for ocean rescue personnel to drive on the beach day and night.
Officials say you should never dig a hole deeper than it is wide, and children and adults should not dig holes deeper than their knees when standing in the hole.
Additionally, sea turtle nesting season runs May – September, and officials say holes in the sand are especially harmful during this time because they are obstructions for female sea turtles laying nests on the beach at night.
Officials want people to “think before you dig” and if you do dig, to fill it in.