Top tips to stay safe
To ensure you and your family don't put yourselves in danger, the Royal National Lifeboats Institution (RNLI) have put together some simple steps to help you stay safe on the beach and in the sea.
Top tips to stay safe:
- Wherever possible, always swim at a lifeguarded beach. Visit Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/) to search to a lifeguarded beach near your destination.
- Always read and obey the safety signs, which are usually found at the entrance to the beach. These signs will warn you of any potential hazards on the beach and identify the safest areas of swimming.
- On a lifeguarded beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim between them - the area between the flags is patrolled by lifeguards.
- Never swim alone.
- If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help.
- If you see someone in difficulty in the sea, never attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard, or if you cant see one, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
For more tips on staying safe on the beach and in the sea, visit RNLI - Sea & beach safety (www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_and_beach_safety).