‘Safety first’ message ahead of holiday weekend
Sunderland City Council and the RNLI are calling on people to stay safe near water ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
Dr owning is the third highest cause of accidental death in young people in the UK. With better weather expected at the weekend, many are expected to visit Wearside’s beaches and riverbanks.
Councillor John Kelly, cabinet member for Vibrant City, is urging anyone going near water to take extra care of themselves and each other. The RNLI is also urging bathers to stick to their official advice.
CllrKellys aid :“We’ re lucky enough to have some of the best beaches in the country along with some very attractive river banks too and we want everyone who visits them to have a fantastic time.
“But with the fine weather we’re also reminding people of how they can help themselves and their families to stay safe.
"For example swimming in the sea is very different to swimming in a swimming pool, and it's very easy to get caught in a rip current that pulls you out to sea or to get cut off. So it’s important to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags.
"Sadly, we have had a number of fatalities in the city in recent years and we know all too well how easy it is to get into difficulty in the water.”
Elliot Rogers, of the RN
LI, said: “We have RNLI lifeguards on far more beaches than we originally planned after the easing of lockdown rules, but they still can’t be absolutely everywhere this summer.
“That’s why we are urging everyone to take extra care of themselves and their families whenever they are in or near the water.”