RNLI urges the public to follow safety advice as hot weather hits UK
With temperatures forecast to reach 29°C this week for much of the UK, the RNLI are reminding the public to follow their lifesaving advice if they are heading to the coast.
Temperatures are expected to cool as we head into the Early May Bank Holiday weekend but the lifesaving charity expects to still see an increase in visitors at the coast.
To stay safe, the RNLI is urging the public to:
- Choose a lifeguarded beach where possible.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags.
- If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.
- If you see someone in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Gabbi Batchelor, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager, said: ‘If you are planning on swimming at a lifeguarded beach, we highly recommend you swim between the red and yellow flags as this is the area most closely monitored by lifeguards.
‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can.
‘Please share these messages with your family and friends, we want everyone to enjoy our beautiful coast, whilst staying safe.’
As it is outside peak season, please check the times and season dates of your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach.
The lifesaving charity’s lifeboats based across the UK and Ireland remain on service 24/7, 365 days a year.
Notes to editors
- To download video clips of Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Public Affairs Manager, giving RNLI safety advice, visit this link.
- The Easter holidays brought a surge in incidents for RNLI lifeguards in South Hams, Devon. Footage can be downloaded on the RNLI News Centre.
- Hi-res image of lifeguard on rescue water craft can be downloaded here.
Media Contacts:
For further information, contact Charlotte Cranny-Evans on [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.