Today, 25^th July, marks World Drowning Prevention Day and with school children across the UK enjoying the first week of their summer holidays, Sefton Council is supporting the RNLI in reminding people how to stay safe while enjoying the coast.

Lifeguarded beaches

People wanting to swim in the sea are recommended to go to Sefton’s beaches at Ainsdale, Formby and Southport which all have RNLI lifeguards.

Throughout the summer beach lifeguards are present between 10am – 6pm and people are encouraged to only consider entering the water during these hours.

RNLI lifeguards are also present all year round at Crosby beach, but it is not a bathing beach.

Nobody should ever enter the water here or go beyond 50 metres from the sea wall. 50 metres is roughly the length of four double-decker buses.

Water safety advice

The key summer safety advice to remember is:

• Visit a lifeguarded bathing beach and swim between the red and yellow flags;
• If you get into trouble Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can;
• Call 999 in a coastal emergency and ask for the Coastguard;
• Do not enter the water or attempt to save someone yourself.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “It is a hard-hitting reality that anyone can drown, but nobody should.

“Swimming at a beach where there are RNLI lifeguards is safer, although people still need to take care, stick to the safe area between the flags and keep a close eye on children at all times.

“Please always familiarise yourself with the water safety advice, read the signs at our beach entrances and chat to the friendly lifeguards who are there to inform and help visitors to our wonderful, but potentially dangerous coastline.”

Visiting Sefton's beaches

Further advice and information for visitors to Sefton’s beaches can be found online at www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches

The RNLI Water Safety team are hosting a free virtual event on Friday 25 July for an informative and practical talk on how to stay safe around our coasts and waterways. People can register and find out more at: RNLI Water Safety Talk for World Drowning Prevention Day Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

And people can visit www.rnli.org/ to learn more about the work of the RNLI and safety advice.

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