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Beach Safety : Safety Advice

For the public
Millions of people enjoy spending time at beaches around the UK every year. Being aware of the dangers at the beach and spotting the hazards will ensure that your visit to the beach is a happy event and does not turn into a tragedy. When visiting the beach, especially if you have children with you, consider the following:-

Spot the dangers
Do a check of the beach when you arrive. Notice whether there are lifeguards available, whether the tide is in or out, are there rocks, piers, groynes or breakwaters that may affect paddling and bathing. Is the beach busy? Are there watersports taking place, are these in zoned areas? What are the sea conditions like, does the beach shelve steeply?

Take safety advice
Try and choose a beach that offers a lifeguard service and swim where the patrol operates, within the area of red/yellow flags. Look for safety information which may include warning signs and know what the flags mean:-

Red and Yellow - Lifeguards on patrol. Two flags at the waters edge denote where the patrolled bathing area is. Red and Yellow – Lifeguards on patrol. Two flags at the waters edge denote where the patrolled bathing area is.
Red – Dangerous to bathe or swim and you should not go into the water.
Quartered black and white flag - shows that an area is zoned off for watersport activities, swimmers and bathers should avoid this area, it is not safe for them. Quartered black and white flag - shows that an area is zoned off for watersport activities, swimmers and bathers should avoid this area, it is not safe for them.

Go together
Children should always go with an adult, not by themselves. Don’t swim alone. Make sure that you know where everyone in your group is. Constant supervision is the only real means of ensuring your child’s safety.

Learn how to help
Know what to do if you see someone in difficulty in the water. Shout for help and tell a lifeguard if there is one. Go to the nearest phone and call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Do not enter the water to rescue anyone.

The Forum recommends that you swim at a beach supervised by lifeguards, look out for the lifeguard station and information when you arrive at the beach and check to see if a patrolled swimming area is in place. When swimming at a beach with a lifeguard service follow the FLAGS code:-

F - ind the red and yellow flags and swim between them
L - ook at the safety signs
A - sk a lifeguard for advice
G - et a friend to swim with you
S - tick your hand up and shout for help if in difficulty

For more information and resources about beach safety go to www.beachsafety.org.uk