Burnham-on-Sea RNLI Water Safety team gives Water Safety messages.

Saturday 25 July was World Drowning Prevention Day, a World Health Organisation event to turn the tide against the annual 300,000 lives lost globally through drowning, among the top ten leading causes of death internationally for children aged 5 - 14. Burnham-on-Sea RNLI station's Water Safety Team made a contribution to the day by passing on key Water Safety messages to visitors and locals around the Town Slip area on Burnham’s seafront.

Burnham-on-Sea Water Safety Officer, Nigel Morton said; 'While there are inherent dangers in or near the water, there are also some very simple things you can do to hugely reduce the risk of harm. At this time of year particularly, as it is unusually hot, the difference between air temperature and water temperature is much greater than usual. So while it is very tempting to go into the water for a dip, sudden immersion carries a high risk of Cold Water Shock, which can potentially be fatal. In our coastal area in particular, we can have very strong tides and currents which can take even strong swimmers by surprise.‘

The RNLI's four main Water Safety messages are:-

1. Be aware of dangers and conditions - tides, currents, wind (is it blowing you out to sea?);

2. Always go to a Lifeguarded beach if you can - Lifeguards will help keep you safe;

3. Learn and remember the FLOAT message - if you find yourself in trouble in the water, particularly if you have gone in suddenly, float on your back in a shape like a starfish, tilt your head back with ears under water to keep your airways clear, move your arms and legs as necessary to keep yourself afloat, start swimming and calling for help after a few minutes when your body has acclimatised to the cold water;

4. If you are in danger, or think you might be getting in to danger - or see someone else in the same position - call 999/112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Please see the relevant link to the RNLI float to live advice https://rnli.org/water-safety/float

RNLI media contacts

For more information, in the first instance, please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea

A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2004.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Mike Lang, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.