Beach Safety: RNLI Advice on How to Stay Safe at the Seaside | Newsround

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When the weather is warm and sunny it can be tempting to go for a splash - but would you know what to do if you got into trouble in the water?
Swimming in the sea or in rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs during the hot weather can be dangerous if you don't know the risks.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) says that children should always go swimming with an adult, never by themselves.
You might be a good swimmer in a warm indoor pool, but that doesn't mean that you will be able to swim in cold water outside and you could get into serious trouble - putting yourself at risk of drowning.
Here are some important tips from the ROSPA about the dangers of open water
- It is very cold
- There may be hidden currents
- It can be difficult to get out (steep slimy banks)
- It can be deep
- There may be hidden rubbish e.g. shopping trolleys, broken glass
- There might not be lifeguards
- The water may be polluted and could make you ill
What should you do around open water to stay safe?
Lee Heard, Director of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) told Newsround that if you are considering cooling off in open water then you should not "unless you are supervised by a well-trained and professional lifeguard."
Here are the charity's top tips for staying safe:
Look for lifeguards - if you are looking for a place to cool off, always find a swimming site that has a lifeguard
Be extra careful around water; it is colder than it looks - water at open water and inland sites is usually much colder than it looks. Cold water causes your body to go into shock - affecting your ability to swim and self-rescue
When in the water stay close to the edge - always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from safety
Always stay near friends or family - if anything goes wrong, you've got someone there to help
Learn basic survival, self-rescue and rescue skills
Don't take any risks - you may think it is fun to play around in water unsupervised or to jump off rocks but it can be very dangerous and help or rescue may be a long way away.
Please visit www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/13865002 for tips about what to do if you are feeling sad about what you've seen, heard or read.
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