With summer vacation now into its third week, sea bathers are being encouraged to go to beaches manned by lifeguards, for their own safety.
An official from the National Conservation Commission???s (NCC) Lifeguard Service is urging beach users to adhere to all instructions given by lifeguards and to observe the flags posted at beaches warning them of possible or imminent danger.
Those beaches with lifeguards are: Bath Beach; Bathsheba; Batt???s Rock; Brandon???s Beach; Enterprise; Folkestone; Graves End/Pebbles; Brownes Beach; Heywoods; Holetown; Royal Pavilion; Needham???s Point; Crane Beach; Dover Beach and Rockley Beach.
In addition, beach goers are being reminded that a posted yellow flag means that sea conditions are risky, and caution should be exercised when swimming, while a red flag indicates that there should be no swimming at all.
Parents are also reminded that while in the water, children should remain within arm???s reach, and everyone should protect their skin from the sun by using sunscreen, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Members of the public are also advised that they should know the water safety codes, and be aware of water hazards which could include rocks, strong currents, larger breakers and tides. ???Look out for information, warning signs and flags and listen to the lifeguards,??? the NCC official said.
He also urged sea bathers not to go swimming alone, and more importantly, to learn how to help another person by obtaining the necessary safety skills.
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb