Staying safe at the seaside

Holidays mean that loads of families will be heading to the beach for a simple but exciting day out. But although it’s a great day out for all the family, it’s important to avoid some of the things which could lead to injury or an emergency situation. Here’s our guide to staying safe at the seaside:

Swimming

• Beware of strong currents. You can’t tell how strong the current is by sitting on the beach, but once in the water it can quickly pull you under and you can get carried out to sea.
• Every European beach has red and yellow flags to signal which areas are being watched constantly by a lifeguard and are safe to swim in. Make sure you stay within these areas in order to stay safe.
• The red flag means there are strong currents – don’t swim when this flag is flyng.
• Don’t dive into shallow water.
• Waves can be dangerous too, especially if they’re powerful. Make sure you venture into the sea cautiously.
• Make sure someone on shore knows where you are. If you get out of your depth or carried away, they’ll be able to get help. Notify your parents, siblings or friends.
• Never swim on your own, you never know when help might be needed.
• Read the safety signs which can warn you about local dangers, notify you which parts of the beach are safe to swim and remind you about safety tips for the beach.
• If you get into difficulty, stick your hand up and shout for help. The same goes for if you see someone else in difficulty, find a lifeguard as soon as possible or raise the alarm.
• Beware of rockpools, when wet they can be slippery and dangerous. Sharp pieces of rock can also cut your hands and feet so wear sensible shoes and be careful.

 On land

• Use the bins provided for rubbish, and make sure you tread carefully, as some people don’t follow the guidelines and use bins. Rubbish can be well hidden when buried under a covering of sand, and things like broken glass or crushed cans are painful to even an adult’s foot.
• Dispose of barbeques safely and properly, don’t leave them to smoulder on the beach. This can be a fire hazard or could be fallen or trodden on.
• Make sure you apply the right factor sunscreen every 2-3hours. Remember that you can get burnt even when it’s cloudy or if you’re underwater. Wearing a wet t-shirt offers you no protection from the sun, either. Stay protected.

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