There are many potential hazards while at the beach here are the most common you will come across that you should be aware of.

• Falling Rocks/Unstable Cliffs
•  Deep shelving beach
•  Large breaking waves
•  Strong currents
•  Strong winds
• Surfers
•  Tidal cut-off

Do’s

• Take litter home with you or put it in a bin
• Consider other people using the beach – no loud music
• Only use barbecues within the designated area
• When rock pooling please leave sea creatures where you find them. Look, but don’t touch as they may be fragile and some can sting

Don’t

• Do not bring glass onto the beach
• Do not remove stones from the beach
• Do not interfere with the lifesaving equipment – your life could depend on it
• Do not light fires

Swimming

Swimming in the sea can be fun and a great form of exercise however it does have its dangers, take a look at this advice and stay safe in the sea.

• Never swim on your own, no matter how strong a swimmer you may feel that you are.
• Always wait at least an hour after eating before you go swimming.
• Never swim after drinking alcohol; alcohol slows your reactions and can impair your ability to judge distances.
• Always swim parallel with the beach so you can easily get ashore if you have a problem. Don’t swim straight out to sea.
• Piers, breakwaters and other man-made structures can create very strong currents so avoid swimming near them.
• Don’t jump into the sea from man-made structures as you cannot tell what is under the water.
• Pay attention to any warning signs and flags on the beach. If a red flag is being displayed, do not go into the sea.
• If you are unsure about the meaning of any flags flying or signs on display, check on the information boards or with beach staff where they are present before going in the water.

Inflatables

If you want to use inflatables such as dinghies, air beds and swim rings in the sea take care and consider this safety information.

• Most inflatables, including dinghies, airbeds and swim rings will come with a warning from the manufacturer that they are unsuitable to be used in the sea.
• Never allow children to play in the sea in inflatables without adult supervision. Most inflatables have a rope attached which should be tethered or held by an adult.
• Never take inflatables into the sea when there is an offshore wind blowing. The inflatable will be blown out to sea very quickly. If the beach is manned, an orange windsock will be flown to indicate offshore winds and warning signs will be displayed.
• Pay attention to any warning signs and flags on the beach. If a red flag is being displayed, do not go into the sea.
• If you are unsure about the meaning of any flags flying or signs on display, check on the information boards or with beach staff where they are present before going in the water.

Sun safety

It’s important to protect skin in the sun to avoid sunburn and heat exhaustion. Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer. Don’t let sunburn catch you out – whether at home or abroad. Enjoy the sun – but don’t overdo it!

For safe enjoyment of the sunshine, simply follow a few simple steps:

• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
• Wear sunscreen – at least factor 15 sunscreen applied generously and regularly, especially after swimming
• Wear loose cotton clothing
• Drink lots of cool drinks
• Seek shade to cool down
• Wear sunglasses and a hat
• Look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• Make sure you never burn

Child safety

Children love going to the beach, find out how you can make visits more enjoyable by staying safe.

• Supervise your child at all times.
• Use the Tag your Kids scheme, available from the Beach Manager.
• Agree a meeting point in case any member of your party gets separated from the group.
• If you become separated from your child, stay in the place where your child would expect you to be and get someone to notify the beach staff.
• Let the beach staff know as soon as you find your child.
• Ensure that they are adequately protected from the sun.
• Ensure that your child remains properly hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• If the beach is not manned and your child is lost, call the Police.
• Pay attention to any warning signs and flags on the beach. If a red flag is being displayed, do not go into the sea.
• If you are unsure about the meaning of any flags flying or signs on display, check on the information boards or with beach staff where they are present before going in the water.

Horses may be ridden on accessible beaches:

1 October to 30 April

• Only at low tide during the early morning or late afternoon.

1 May to 30 September

• Horses cannot be taken onto any beach with either a Seaside Award or a Blue Flag.
• On any other beach, horses may not be ridden between the hours of 10am and 6pm.

The following guidelines must be followed;

• Please give due consideration for the safety and comfort of other beach users, remember that not everyone is knowledgeable about horses and beaches are open to the general public at all times.
• Be alert for other beach users; particularly children. Also be aware of the possibility that dogs may be running free on the beach.
• Riders using the beach must have public liability insurance and may be asked to provide evidence of this to Council staff.
• Riders must indemnify against all claims, actions, damages or proceedings of whatever nature arising directly out of the granting of this permission.
• The beach must be left in a clean and tidy condition. All litter; including manure must be removed from the beach immediately and taken away with you.
• Be aware that during very low tides or where the beach has been scoured by rough weather, additional hazards may be uncovered.

• After low tide, keep an eye on incoming tide to ensure you don’t get cut off.
• Be aware that during very low tides or where the beach has been scoured by rough weather, additional hazards may be uncovered.
• Wherever possible, swim at a lifeguarded beach.
• Never swim alone.
• Pay attention to any warning signs and flags on the beach. If a red flag is being displayed, do not go into the sea.
• Do not use inflatables when windy or wind is blowing offshore. On some beaches there will be an orange windsock which indicates offshore winds.
• If you see someone in difficulty, don’t attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard, or, if you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
• Do not dig deep holes in sand or dig tunnels in sand. They might collapse.
• Be aware of the seagulls if you’re outside with food.
• Take your rubbish home, don’t try and cram more stuff into an already overflowing beach bin.
• There are occasional reports of substances such as palm oil being washed up on beaches. Some substances are poisonous to dogs.
• If you do find something on the beach, you have to log the item with the government’s Receiver of Wreck. Then, if nobody comes forward to claim the object after a year, you can keep it.