Stay safe in the water

With the summer holidays on their way, and visitors and locals alike making the most of Swansea's beaches, Swansea Council's beach safety officers are urging sun seekers to have fun in safety.

During the summer Caswell, Langland, Bracelet Bay and Port Eynon beaches are patrolled by professional lifeguards seven days a week. There is a red and yellow flag system in place on these beaches to indicate where and when it is safe to swim.

To keep safe on the beach or in the water:

-Go to a beach patrolled by lifeguards
-Make sure you read any warning notices
-Bathe in between the red and yellow flags - this area is patrolled by lifeguards
-Never enter the water if the red flag is flying - red means danger!
-Ask a lifeguard about conditions if you are unsure whether to bathe
-Don't swim alone  
-No inflatables - they easily get swept out to sea by wind or current

When its hot and you are not on the beach, it could be tempting to cool off in inland water sources. However, Water Safety Officer Mike Cunningham said this can be dangerous. "Inland ponds and lakes such as reservoirs or quarries can be very deep and cold, and even strong swimmers can get into difficulties in these conditions. Although the immediate water surface temperature may feel warm, lakes and reservoirs maintain a low temperature below the surface. It is this cold temperature which saps the strength of even the strongest swimmer and can lead to tragedy.

"There can also be hidden dangers such as pumping equipment or debris. Rivers may look calm on the surface but can have very strong currents and concealed objects beneath the surface, so should also be avoided."

If you have any concerns about tides or conditions at the beach feel free to approach a lifeguard for advice, while Swansea Council's website has further advice on beach and water safety.

The picture of Port Eynon is by Mark Suckling, courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk/wales

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