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Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 Page 81 should seek medical attention, the release ���Most people can swim in red tide, but it can cause skin irritation and burning eyes,��� the points out. release says. ���If your skin is easily irritated, Residents living in beach areas where red tide avoid red tide water. It is advisable to get out is present are advised to close windows and and thoroughly wash off with fresh water. run the air conditioner (making sure that the Swimming near dead fish is not recommendAC filter is maintained according to manufac- ed.��� turer���s specifications), the release points out. Pet owners are advised that red tide also posPrevailing southerly winds earlier this week es a risk to animals brought to the beach, the are believed to have contributed to the resur- release says. Red tide can affect dogs after gence of red tide in Sarasota County, the re- they come out of the water, lick their paws or lease says. ���It is important to note that since fur and ingest the algae, which can be harmful winds are variable, conditions can change fre- to their health. Be sure to rinse dogs off with quently throughout the day,��� it adds. For those fresh water if they swim in red tide waters, the who are susceptible, the symptoms associated release urges. with red tide tend to become more noticeable Beach goers are encouraged to check the Mote when the winds are blowing onshore. Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Report Small amounts of dead fish have been reported and were being cleaned up at Blind Pass Beach, Manasota Beach, Venice Beach and the area from Caspersen Beach to Service Club Park, the release noted. As a precaution, health officials recommend that beach goers wear shoes when walking on the sand. This will help to prevent puncture wounds from the spines or bones of dead fish, the release adds. before they go to the beach, since conditions can change daily. The report is updated twice a day; it may be accessed online at www.mote. org/beaches. Click on the same link to the mobile-friendly version of the beach conditions report. Visitors also may register to receive email reports about specific beaches. For telephone updates, call 941-BEACHES (232-2437) and press ���1��� for Sarasota County beaches. SMOKING BAN BILL ADVANCES IN STATE SENATE On Feb. 21, Senate Bill 258, which would allow local governments to restrict smoking on property they own or operate, passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee by unanimous vote, Marsha Hosack, manager of governmental relations for Sarasota County, reported to the county commissioners. asking all the members to support both the Senate bill and House Bill 439, which would allow local governments to restrict smoking on property they own. A 12th Judicial Circuit Court ruling in December 2012 on a City of Sarasota ordinance held that any local government effort to restrict The County Commission sent a letter to the smoking was a violation of the state���s Clean county���s legislative delegation on Feb. 12, Indoor Air Act.