Summer is meant to be carefree. Sunshine, beaches, friends, and barbecues—everything about it feels like a breath of fresh air. But behind all the fun often hides a health hazard we tend to overlook, especially when alcohol enters the picture. Whether you're swimming in the ocean, boating on the lake, driving through the mountains, or simply relaxing by the pool, alcohol can quietly turn a perfect vacation into a preventable tragedy.
Take Mark, for example, a dad from Michigan who drove down to Florida with his family for a beach getaway. They rented a small fishing boat, stocked it with snacks, gear, and a cooler of drinks. Mark cracked open a cold beer in the afternoon heat, followed by another, then another. He considered himself an experienced boater—until he misjudged his approach to the dock and slammed into it. Luckily, no one was hurt, but his kids were terrified. “I didn’t think a few beers would do any harm,” Mark later admitted. “Now I know better.”
He’s not alone. July sees more drownings in the U.S. than any other month. According to CDC data, nearly one-third of all drowning victims have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10% or higher. Even confident swimmers can misread their limits while under the influence. Some swim too far and can’t get back. Others don’t notice the water getting dangerously cold. In Santa Cruz, California, a surfer named Alex watched a close friend disappear in a rip current after downing a couple of drinks and overestimating his strength on the waves. “It was supposed to be a chill afternoon,” Alex said. “I still replay it in my head.”
Alcohol doesn’t only put swimmers at risk—it’s just as dangerous behind the wheel. Especially during holiday travel, when drivers are dealing with distractions like unfamiliar roads, pets, kids in the back seat, or towing a boat or camper. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair concentration and reaction time. Lisa, a 30-year-old from Pennsylvania, learned this the hard way. She and her husband were headed to a national park. She had one cocktail at lunch, figured she was fine, then missed a highway exit curve and skidded off the road. No major injuries, but their trip was thrown off course.
You don’t need to be over the legal limit (0.08% BAC) to be at risk. Research shows the odds of a crash begin to climb with even the first drink. And when you’re on the water, the risks multiply. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that alcohol is a top contributor to boating accidents involving injuries and fatalities. A boat operator with a BAC of 0.08% is 14 times more likely to die in a boating accident than someone who hasn’t been drinking. Alcohol can dull your balance, blur your vision, delay reaction times, and make your body more vulnerable to cold water. If something goes wrong, intoxicated boaters and passengers are far less able to respond.
Even when you’re not in motion, alcohol and summer heat don’t mix well. High temperatures naturally cause fluid loss through sweat, and alcohol speeds it up by increasing urination. Together, they’re a fast track to dehydration or even heatstroke.
There are less obvious risks, too. Research shows people drinking alcohol are less likely to use sunscreen. Megan, a college student at a beach party in Los Angeles, ended up in urgent care with severe sunburn after drinking all afternoon without reapplying lotion. And it turns out alcohol makes skin more sensitive to sun exposure—so you can burn faster even with the same UV levels.
Travel can complicate things even further. Vacation tends to lower people’s guard. They may drink more than usual or sample stronger local liquors in hot, unfamiliar environments. Jason, a New Yorker visiting Greece, passed out on a ferry after mixing cocktails with seasickness medication. He had to be rushed to the ER, and his trip was cut short.
None of this means you have to avoid alcohol entirely. But it does mean being smart about when, where, and how much you drink. If you're heading into the water, behind the wheel, or out into the wilderness, skipping alcohol could be the safest choice. And when you do drink, pair it with food—eating can slow alcohol absorption and reduce the intensity of its effects. Hydrate with non-alcoholic beverages between drinks to lessen dehydration and lower your BAC.
If you’re hosting a summer party, consider offering mocktails, sparkling waters, and juices alongside beer or wine. Encourage designated drivers or arrange rideshares for guests. And if you have kids, be a good role model—show them that having fun doesn’t have to mean taking risks with alcohol.
True freedom comes from making clear-headed choices and enjoying summer with full awareness. Just ask Jessica and Tom, a couple from Vermont who’ve made a tradition of camping every July in Maine with their kids. “We come for the quiet, the lake, the stars,” Jessica says. “We don’t drink on the water, and we don’t miss it.”
Because sometimes, the best kind of summer buzz is simply the sound of laughter, waves, and a healthy, safe good time.