| If you are heading to Woolacombe or one of the | | | | spotted by noticing brown water and foam on |
| other great seaside resorts in the UK this | | | | the surface of the water. If you do get caught in |
| summer, you should bear some basic beach | | | | one, keep calm, raise your hands and shout for |
| safety tips in mind to make sure you have the | | | | help and try and swim parallel to the beach until |
| best holiday possible. | | | | you are out of the rip as you will wear yourself |
| Make sure you only swim at beaches which are | | | | out if you try and swim into it. |
| patrolled by lifeguards and always swim with | | | | Tides can move extremely quickly and many |
| someone else, never alone. If you are leaving a | | | | people get caught unaware when they are playing |
| group to go off and swim, let them know where | | | | on rocks and end up stranded. It is always a good |
| you are heading. | | | | idea to find out what time high tide is, to avoid |
| There are different coloured flags on UK beaches | | | | getting into trouble. |
| that tell you information about what is going on | | | | Talking about avoiding sunburn seems obvious, but |
| with the beach. Red and Yellow flags indicate that | | | | many British holiday makers make the mistake of |
| the area is patrolled by lifeguards, so you are safe | | | | not wearing any sun protection on cloudy days. In |
| to go swimming. Black and White flags indicate | | | | the height of summer, UV rays can still pass |
| that part of the beach is for water sports so will | | | | through clouds and burn people if they are |
| be dangerous for swimmers. An orange windsock | | | | exposed for long periods of time. If in doubt, put |
| is telling you that there are offshore winds and | | | | sun cream on. |
| you shouldn't use flotation devices in the sea. | | | | Dehydration causes many problems for people on |
| Finally the red flag indicates danger and you | | | | beaches who forget to drink water. Even on |
| shouldn't enter the sea for any reason. | | | | cooler days, the sun and wind can still dehydrate |
| Swimmers should be aware of rips when out in | | | | you. Also make sure you drink soft drinks, ideally |
| the sea. A rip is a strong current that can take | | | | water, as alcohol can lead to further dehydration |
| you out further than you want to be and can be | | | | and impair your judgment. |