What you should know about beach safety
When deciding which beach to swim at, take into account that not all beaches are swimming beaches and there may not be lifeguards on duty.
SPENDING a day at the beach is a wonderful family bonding experience, and your children will have happy memories to last a lifetime. However, a day at the beach comes with certain hazards.
Also read: New officer for Toti beaches appointed
Group head of communications and marketing at Fidelity ADT, Charnel Hattingh, shares how to keep safe without compromising on fun.
· Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty – Lifeguards are only on duty at selected beaches. The times that they are on duty vary from beach to beach, so it’s important to find out local information pertaining to when they will be on duty. Listen to the lifeguards’ advice and talk to them about safety on the beach you are visiting. If lifeguards are not on duty, do not swim. And don’t ever be tempted to swim on an unfamiliar or deserted beach while on a road trip.
· Swim between the lifeguard flags – If you swim between the lifeguard flags, the lifeguards will be watching you very carefully and can help if there is a problem. Just wave your arm if you need help. Share this information with your grown children, but never leave minors unsupervised.
· Don’t drink alcohol and then swim – Being physically impaired in water is very dangerous as you’ll be more inclined to take risks you normally wouldn’t; you could pass out or injure yourself and drown.
· Don’t swim alone – Always swim with a buddy. If you are with a buddy while swimming, there is someone who can call for help if you need it and are unable to wave to the lifeguards or call for help yourself.
· Avoid attempting a rescue yourself – If you see someone in difficulty, call a lifeguard at once or dial the nearest NSRI station or 112 from your cellphone. After calling for help, try and throw something that floats to the person in difficulty. If there is a Pink Rescue Buoy in close proximity, this can be used as a flotation device until help arrives. If you do ever attempt a bystander rescue, do so only if you can swim AND are able to take the flotation device with you. Tell someone on the beach to call 112 before you go in.
· Beware of inflatable tubes, boats and toys – Lightweight inflatables should not be used at the beach or on dams where currents and wind can blow them – and the person on them – offshore. They are extremely dangerous and should only be used where intended, ie, a swimming pool, and only under adult supervision.
· Do not get distracted by your cellphone or social media – While you are looking after children in or near water, you need to focus on them and nothing else. Adults who are supervising children should not be distracted or use their cellphone. It is not possible to concentrate on children in the water and be on your phone at the same time. Remember – drowning is silent.
· Adult supervision and barriers to water are vital – Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim. Children should not be able to get through or over barriers, such as pool fences, to the water. Only use child-safe pool fences and child-safe pool covers or nets.
“Law enforcement officials and security agencies are ready to protect beachgoers this summer. By paying attention to your own personal safety habits, you can help them make this a holiday that everyone will enjoy,” says Hattingh.
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