MIAMI -- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue warned beachgoers Monday of dangerous rip currents brought to South Florida's beaches by Tropical Storm Ida in the Gulf of Mexico.

A rip current is a fast-moving belt of water that can take a swimmer from the shallows close to shore out into deeper water.

Photos: Local 10 Forecast

Fire officials said the red flags are flying on the beach to make swimmers aware of the hazardous surf conditions.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the best way to avoid being caught in a rip current is to avoid swimming in the ocean when there is a high risk.

Officials also said people should swim only at beaches where a lifeguard is present and always swim with a buddy.

If you get caught in a rip current, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said you should stay calm and swim out of the current in a perpendicular direction, following the shoreline. If you can't swim out of the rip current, officials said you should float or lightly tread water to save your energy so you can swim to shore once you are out of the current.

Anyone who sees a swimmer in trouble should get a lifeguard or call 911.