Know your flags
When you go to the beach in Britain, you'll usually see a few different coloured flags. These flags warn you of potential hazards and mark out safe areas to swim. Here's a guide to the beach flags:
Red & yellow flag:
This marks out the area of the beach patrolled by lifeguards. The area in between the red and yellow flags is the safe area to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.
Black & white chequered flag:
This indicated the area marked out by lifeguards for the use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks. You should NEVER swim or bodyboard in these areas.
Red flag:
This indicates danger. NEVER, under any circumstances, enter the water when the red flag is flying.
Orange windsock:
This indicates offshore wind conditions. You should NEVER use an inflatable when the sock is flying.