Digging Holes in the Sand Can Be Deadly

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Sand collapses occur most often at beaches, but they can happen at other places like lakes or even backyards, Maron said.

Not every beach is susceptible to sand collapse, however, said Chris Brewster, president of the United States Life Saving Association, an organization of beach and open water lifeguards.

Southern California beaches, for example, typically have sand that's too dense to allow deep digging, he said.

"Where this tends to happen is where the sand is quite granular, large-grain sand that's easier to dig," he said.

What to do? Common sense is the answer, Maron said: Don't dig holes that are deeper than your knees when you're standing up in them; this rule goes for kids as well as adults. And if you dig a big hole, cover it up when you leave.

And beaches aren't the only sand-hole danger zone. There have been prior reports of children dying after being buried in sand at construction sites, and even in sandboxes, experts warn.

More information

Learn more about beach safety from the American Red Cross.