Beach Safety
So now you’re ready to hit the beach there are a few important things to remember, whether lifeguards are on duty or not.
Beaches can become crowded and it is therefore easy to lose sight of children. Children are safest when supervised. As soon as you get to the beach, agree a meeting point in case of separation.
When you arrive at the beach the first thing you might see is a sign giving you all the information about the beach you’re visiting. Check and take notice of warning flags and whether a life guard is on duty.
When you’re heading to a beach, we urge you to respect the water. Rips are strong currents running out to sea, which can quickly take you from the shallows out of your depth. The beach can seem like a vast playground but the tide can come in surprisingly quickly and waves are great fun, but they can be dangerous. They have different characteristics depending on the beach and conditions - understanding how they work will keep you safer. Be aware of tides and currents.
Blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out. If they are used then please keep near the shore.
Never swim in a “no swim” zone.
Jet Skis or other water based activities should be used with appropriate safety equipment.
Sun Safety
Sunburn can ruin your holiday and increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. Whilst the below seems very obvious, please keep safe this Summer and follow our tips on sun safety:
- Always wear sunscreen
- Sun hat – slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears
- Sunglasses – wear wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes
- Shoulders – slip on a T-shirt or UV protective suit for children and remember to keep your shoulders covered
- Shade – seek shade, particularly during the hottest time of the day between 11am and 3pm when UV penetration is at its strongest.
- Drink plenty of water & keep hydrated
- Keep babies cool and well covered
