Council issues water safety reminder as the school summer holidays begin

This includes a special warning for people not to swim off Steetley Pier – which was the scene of a tragic accident in 2021 - and the North Sands and Crimdon beaches, because it’s not safe to do so.

The Council’s beach lifeguards will be patrolling the main beach at Seaton Carew every day from 10am to 6pm throughout the school summer holiday period to Monday 2nd September and people should act on any instructions they give.

People are also urged to remember and follow these important national water safety tips:

 

Stop and Think

• Is the area safe? Think about potential hazards - too deep, too shallow, currents, tides, underwater objects?

• Enter the water slowly and carefully and never jump from heights.

• Think carefully about your ability to splash or swim in cold outdoor water. Nationally, almost half of people who lose their lives are classed as swimmers. Are you really a good swimmer?

• Read the warning and information signs and get advice from the lifeguards.

• Never use inflatables in open water – although they look fun, inflatables can quickly get caught in the wind and be blown out to sea.

Stay Together

• Choose a lifeguarded area and always make sure someone is available to raise the alarm. Never swim on your own.

• Don’t go too far – enter the water slowly, stay within reach and stay within a standing depth.

In an Emergency

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Don’t enter the water to try to rescue anyone.

Be sure everyone in your group knows who to call in an emergency.

The what3words app – which generates a code to accurately pinpoint your location – is a very useful app to have on your mobile phone if at any time you need to report your location to the emergency services if you are in difficulty or spot someone else in trouble.

Float. If you fall in or become tired – stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.

Also …

Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety and what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly. 

For more water safety advice visit the Royal Life Saving Society UK website at www.rlss.org.uk

 

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said: “Everyone loves a day at the seaside but we want people to stay safe while they’re having fun, so we would ask everyone to please take the time to read our advice.

“In particular, we would warn people once again not to swim off Steetley Pier and the North Sands and Crimdon beaches, because the conditions there mean it’s just not safe to do so.

“We all remember the tragic accident three years ago at Steetley Pier when teenager Matthew Sherrington sadly lost his life.

“The water around the pier may look calm but it’s particularly hazardous as there are very strong rip currents as well as sudden deep water and underground hazards.

“Since the tragedy in 2021 there have unfortunately been instances when youngsters have been seen swimming off Steetley Pier, so we would urge parents to please talk to their children about the dangers of swimming in open water and make sure they know where their children are at all times.”