Digging in the sugar-white sands of the Alabama Gulf Coast is a rite of passage for many children. It’s a great way for youngsters, particularly, to while away a beach day with a shovel and a pail. Some holes dug become foundations for castles in the sand, but others pockmark the beach with no purpose.

Under the new Leave Only Footprints ordinance adopted by both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, holes deeper than 12 inches will have to be refilled before leaving the beach. It’s a safety issue for both the creatures who live on the beach and those who visit.

Sea turtle mamas who nest on our shores face real dangers of falling into holes dug by beachgoers. Holes left in the sand can be perilous to humans also, according to an article written for the New England Journal of Medicine by father-son doctors. Dr. Bradley Maron, MD, discussed instances of holes collapsing and beachgoers being injured. Forty-one of the 52 cases reported in the article happened near the coastline and 87 percent of the cases involved young men.

Leave Only Footprints was enacted by both cities in an effort to clear the beaches of trash, toys and other debris left behind by visitors. Filling holes is another part of the ordinance and a necessary one to keep everyone safe.

Before leaving your beach scene, take a few moments to refill those holes so the next visitors can enjoy a safe place to walk and play.