TIPS TO PREVENT TRAGEDY

THE safety of beach-goers is top of the list for the City, as officials prepare for thousands to flock to the shore.

More than 300 lifeguards will be on duty at beaches and swimming pools, and there will be shark spotters at eight beaches.

Specialised Law Enforcement, and Fire and Rescue Service dive crews will be on standby.

The City it is working closely with the National Sea Rescue Institute and other role-players to ensure the safety of beachgoers.

Beach-goers have been encouraged: ·not to drink alcohol and swim.

·not to leave children unsupervised. ·be aware of rip currents.

·swim only between the flags where lifeguards are present.

“The City services 47 beaches along its 307km of coastline, along with 22 tidal pools and 14 resorts.

“Beach attendance can exceed 100 000 visitors per day during the peak summer season, and while our enforcement agencies will be out in full force to conduct patrols and check vehicles at various beach access points, it is not a job we can do alone.

“Statistics from the last festive season show that beach-goers do not take their safety seriously.

“We had 11 drownings at sea, 41 rescues, 111 help-outs and also confiscated more than 11 000 bottles of alcohol despite the fact that it’s not allowed at the beach,” Smith said.

The Identikidz project will be in operation, and children arriving at the beaches will be registered and issued with an identification tag/armband.

For any emergency, call 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

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