Today, 25^th July, marks the third 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.

The RNLI is calling for families to stay safe at the coast as new figures show the charity’s lifeguards attended 10,826 incidents during the summer holidays last year.

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.

RNLI lifeguards are also present all year round at Crosby beach but is by no means a bathing beach. Signs warn visitors of the dangers of soft mud and gullies and incoming tides and indicate they should not enter the water.

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.

Cllr Ian Moncur added: “We want people to enjoy the Sefton coast, but we urge visitors to think about their own safety and take time to familiarise yourself with RNLI advice.

“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.”

Nick Ayers, water safety expert, said: “Many of the incidents our lifeguards attend during the school holidays involve children and teenagers and we would urge everyone – but families in particular – to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.

“Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.”

Visiting Sefton's beaches

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

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