Stay safe this summer

Summer has officially arrived, and our stunning Thanet coastline is ready to welcome residents and visitors. So that everyone has an unforgettable and safe season, we’re kicking off a summer safety awareness campaign.

No one really wants to spend the holidays in A&E or worse. You might imagine it’s teenagers that need the most safety advice, as they’re statistically more likely to take risks, but accidents happen to everyone. Here are some things you need to know this summer.

Water safety: look out for each other

Following a number of tragic drowning incidents nationally during recent heatwaves, we are urging everyone to memorise a simple, three-step life-saving message if you see someone in trouble:

PHONE: Call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.

FLOAT: Shout to the person in difficulty, telling them to float on their back and stay calm.

THROW: Look for a nearby life ring or throw-line to pass to the person.

The dangers of tombstoning

Pier jumping, or tombstoning, remains a high-risk behaviour that is particularly common among teenagers aged 12 to 17. Jumping into unknown depths from harbour structures and piers can lead to life-altering injuries and, in some cases, can be fatal. Submerged rocks, changing tides, and debris mean that what looks like deep water can quickly turn into a hazard. Please talk to your teens about the risks.

Lifeguard cover

Daily cover from the RNLI started on Monday 20 July across all of our main bathing bays. Please always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Photo credit: RNLI – Nathan William