Signs and flags
Keep an eye out when you arrive at the beach for a sign with important safety information. This may be one of the first things you see on arrival and will give you useful information about the area, as well as any possible dangers.
Beach safety tips:
Tip 1
Choose a lifeguarded beach
Check in advance if the beach you're visiting has a lifeguard
Tip 2
Check local signs and flags for risks
Be aware of dangers and sea conditions
Tip 3
Know your location
If you're not familiar with the area make sure you note down the beach name and address. Other details such as landmarks are also useful to help us find you
Tip 4
Remember Float to Live
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float with your head back and your ears submerged
Tip 5
Look after each other
Keep a close eye on children and never let them swim alone. Go with others when exploring
If you get in trouble at the beach call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
Signs
Red and white prohibition sign
Do not enter the water for swimming or other water-related activities.
Yellow hazard sign
Warns of potential hazards, take extra care to avoid the danger.
No lifeguards sign
No lifeguard service in operation, take extra care and follow safety advice.
Beach flags
Red and yellow flag
Lifeguarded area, make sure you swim between these flags. This is the safest area to swim and bodyboard.
Red flag
Danger! Do not enter the water under any circumstances.
Black and white chequered flag
Area for surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks and other non-powered craft. Launch and recovery area for kitesurfers and windsurfers. Never swim or bodyboard between these flags.
Orange windstock
Indicates offshore or strong wind conditions. Offshore winds can make it difficult to return to shore. Be extra cautious when a windsock is flying.
Swimming between the flags
Never underestimate the power of the sea, always swim between the flags.
It’s safest to visit beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards, particularly if you’re visiting with children.
These lifeguarded beaches have a patrolled swimming area marked out by red and yellow flags – always swim (and bodyboard) between these flags on a trip to the beach.
Reduce the risks:
- Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
- Check the safety signs and flags around the beach, be aware of any dangers.
- Be aware of sea conditions, including currents and winds.
- Stay within your swimming abilities.
- Do not let your child swim alone - children are safest when supervised.
- If you need help, raise your hand.
- If you get in to difficulties, stay calm - remember Float to Live.
Rip currents
Rip currents are a major cause of accidental drowning in the UK. They are strong currents that can quickly drag you into deep water, even the most experienced swimmers can be caught in a strong rip and pulled out to sea.
Rip currents are difficult to spot, they can look like a channel of flat darker water surrounded by choppy, churning water.
Reduce the risks:
- Keep away from rocks, piers and groynes.
-
Stay within your depth where waves are breaking.
-
On a lifeguarded beach swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Do not try to swim against a rip current - you’ll soon get exhausted.
-
Stand up if you can, wade to safety - do not swim.
-
If possible, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.
-
Raise your hand and shout for help.
-
If you see someone caught in a rip current, alert lifeguards or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
More about rip currents
Offshore winds
Offshore winds blow from land out to sea and can prevent you from getting back to shore safely. They are particularly dangerous for small craft, such as paddleboards and kayaks.
Inflatables are particularly at risk, which is one of the reasons why HM Coastguard advise against using them in the sea.
Reduce the risks:
- Do not paddle out when an orange windsock is flying.
- If you are caught out by offshore winds while paddleboarding, kneel or lay down on your stomach and paddle back to shore.
- Signal for help by waving your arm in the air or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
- While you are waiting for help, stay with your craft – you will be more visible to search and rescue teams.
Inflatables
Although inflatables might be fun in a swimming pool, they are not suitable for use in the sea. They can easily be swept out by currents or offshore winds.
Reduce the risks:
-
Leave inflatables at home.
-
Choose a lifeguarded beach.
-
Never use inflatables in the sea.
-
Make sure children are supervised.
-
If you get swept out to sea, remain calm and shout for help.
-
If you see an inflatable that’s been blown out to sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Float to Live
If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly, your instinct would tell you to swim hard.
But cold water shock could make you gasp uncontrollably. Then you could breathe in water and drown. Instead, you should Float to Live. This means:
- Relax and fight your instinct to thrash around.
- Lean back with your ears submerged.
- Extend your arms and legs, gently move them if needed.
- Float until you can control your breathing.
- Only then, call 999 for help or swim to safety.
Know what to do if you're struggling in the water?
Cliff dangers at the beach
Cliffs can be more unstable than they look, cliff falls or landslides happen without warning.
Reduce the risks:
-
Take note of warning signs.
-
If you are on the beach, keep clear of the base of cliffs.
-
Stay well back from cliff edges.
-
Never climb a cliff as a shortcut to the top.