Beach safety warning for Brits heading to the coast – as temperatures hit 30C
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued a beach safety warning – with temperatures set to hit 25C in the coming days.
It’s likely that beaches and coastlines in the UK will be very busy over the remaining half of the week, as Brits attempt to cool off in the heat.
Given the warm weather, the RNLI is encouraging Brits to swim at beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards.
Daniel Bedwell of the RNLI’s Water Safety Team, said: “We are expecting the coast to be extremely busy with this burst of warm weather.
“We want everyone to enjoy being around the water but we also want to make sure people stay safe and know what to do in an emergency.
“Always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.”
The warning from the RNLI comes after lifeguards at Porthtowan Beach rescued two beach-goers who got into difficulty in a rip current just after 6pm.
Last year, Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI, told Sun Online Travel what Brit holidaymakers should do if they’re ever caught in a rip current.
Mr Morrison explained: “Rip currents, which are channels of fast-flowing water running out to sea, can be difficult to spot and can catch out even the most confident and prepared swimmers.
“If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.”
While riptides are difficult to spot, they can sometimes be identified by a “channel of churning, choppy water on the sea’s surface”.
Gareth also encouraged holidaymakers to check weather and tide times before heading to the beach, as they can vary in some areas.
He added: “Finally, we’d like to remind people what to do in the event of an emergency.
“If you, yourself, are struggling in the water, relax and float until you can catch your breath – then swim to safety or call for help.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
TEMPERATURES TO SOAR
At the end of last week, the MET Office issued yellow heat health alerts for most of England.
Earlier today, the Met Office said central London could see a peak of 30C with temperatures in the high 20s across in south-east England on Tuesday ahead of England’s final group stage Euros game.
Forecasters have warned of a likely “increase in mortality across the population” from tomorrow until Thursday.
The heat alerts will be in force for every region of England except the north east, which is covered by a green alert.
OAPs and people with health conditions are most at risk, but young people could also suffer in the heat.
Met Office expert Dan Rudman said:”Fine conditions will return today for the beginning of next week.
“For much of the UK this will be accompanied by a boost in temperatures with many places reaching the mid-20°Cs.
“Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions.
“Heatwave conditions need to remain in situ for three consecutive days.
“By the beginning to middle of next week it is possible that some parts of the UK could be reaching heatwave thresholds.
“Whether or not everyone experiences heatwave thresholds, most of the UK will experience the highest temperatures so far this year.”
WORLD’S BEST BEACHES REVEALED
Earlier this year, the best beaches in the world were revealed – with spots in the UK making the cut.
The Tripadvisor Travellers‘ Choice Awards used both quality and quantity of the ratings to determine which beaches come out on top.
Unsurprisingly, several beaches in Europe dominated the top of the list, including Praia da Falésia, which was named the best in the world.
Even though a UK beach wasn’t named among TripAdvisor‘s best in the world, two secluded spots in the UK were named in a brand-new category: the World’s Best Sustainable Beaches.
Sandbanks Beach in Poole, Dorset was named the world’s most sustainable beach, while Saundersfoot Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales took third place.
World's top 10 sustainable beaches for 2024
- Sandbanks Beach – Dorset, UK
- Radhanagar Beach – Havelock Island, India
- Saundersfoot Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Corniche Beach – Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Galissas Beach – Syros, Greece
- Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
- Mellieha Beach, Malta
- Myrtos Beach – Kefalonia, Greece
- Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain
- Camp’s Bay Beach – Cape Town, South Africa
If you don’t want to go abroad to enjoy a day at the beach, then a little-known beach has been named the best beach in the UK.
Here’s the UK seaside town which has been voted the cheapest in the country.
