Health & Safety

Emergencies: dial 911. The info below is for planning, not medical advice.

Ticks & Lyme — read this

The East End has one of the highest tick-borne disease rates in the US. Deer ticks (blacklegged) carry Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Lone star ticks (very common here) can cause alpha-gal red-meat allergy.

Wear light-colored long pants tucked into socks in grass, dunes, and woods.
Use permethrin on clothing; DEET or picaridin on skin.
Do a full body tick check within 2 hours of coming inside; shower.
Remove ticks with fine tweezers, straight up — save it in a bag.
Watch for bullseye rash, fever, or fatigue for 30 days. Call a doctor early.

Hospitals

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
631-726-8200
240 Meeting House Ln, Southampton, NY 11968
24/7 Emergency
Full emergency department, Level III trauma

Urgent Care

Hamptons Urgent Medical Care
631-283-0707
676 County Rd 39A, Southampton, NY 11968
Mon-Sun 9:00-17:00 (seasonal extended)
Stony Brook Urgent Care - Hampton Bays
631-638-1150
225 W Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
Daily 9:00-21:00

Late Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy - Southampton
631-283-1230
103 N Sea Rd, Southampton, NY 11968
Mon-Sat 8:00-22:00, Sun 9:00-21:00
Barth's Pharmacy
631-283-0707
34 Main St, Southampton, NY 11968
Mon-Sat 8:30-19:00, Sun 9:00-17:00

Veterinary Emergency

East End Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center
631-369-4513
67 Commerce Dr, Riverhead, NY 11901
24/7 Emergency

Ocean safety

Lifeguard hours: Late June through Labor Day, daily 10:00–18:00 at guarded village & town beaches. Swim only when guards are on duty.

Riptide notes by beach

Coopers Beach: Strong rips near sandbar gaps mid-tide; swim near lifeguards.
Flying Point Beach: Persistent rips after storms; check flag color before entering.
Ponquogue Beach: Inlet currents east end — avoid swimming near jetty.
Tiana Beach: Steep shore-break; rip channels common at low tide.
Cupsogue Beach: Powerful inlet current — never swim past the western rocks.

Caught in a rip? Don't fight it. Swim parallel to shore until free, then angle back in.

Jellyfish

Lion's mane and moon jellies appear July–September. Rinse stings with seawater (not fresh), remove tentacles with a card, then warm water 20 min. Seek help for severe reactions.

Sharks

Sightings have increased along Long Island's south shore. Avoid swimming at dawn/dusk, in murky water, near bait fish or seals. Follow lifeguard closures immediately.

Water quality

Suffolk County tests bay & ocean beaches weekly in summer. Avoid swimming for 24–48 hours after heavy rain. Check current advisories at suffolkcountyny.gov.