Beach Safety

IIf you’re heading to the beach, spare a thought for  your safety.

‘You’re 500 times less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach so we always recommend that people choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards can see them.

‘RNLI lifeguards are specially-trained and a great deal of their work is preventative – they give advice and warn people of potential dangers, to prevent incidents happening in the first place.

Those who can’t make it to a lifeguarded beach should find out about their chosen beach before they go, read the safety signs to make themselves aware of the local hazards. Most importantly, if they see someone in trouble, they should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard – but should not enter the water themselves.

• Always swim at a lifeguarded beach
• Swim between the red and yellow flags
• Never swim alone
• Know your beach safety flags
• Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
• If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
• If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
• Find out about the beach you’re going to before you visit
• Check tide times before you go
• Read and obey local hazard signs

All information from RNLI and Goolge seaches