RNLI Beach Lifeguards are reminding people looking after children on or near a beach about one very simple piece of safety advice � keep an eye on children at all times. This follows a summer filled with incidents involving children.

Whether it�s sunny bucket and spade weather or bracing walking weather, RNLI Lifeguards are expecting a busy weekend, and children need to be watched at all times � whether they�re swimming, digging sandcastles or walking near a cliff-top.

Statistics* illustrate how many children aged 0-12 years become lost on RNLI Beach Lifeguard beaches. Last year the figure was 460 and in 2003 it was 508. So far this year, up until the end of July, (before the busy school holiday period), RNLI Beach Lifeguards had already helped 143 lost children.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Beach Lifeguard Manager explains,

�People are aware of stranger danger, but on a beach a lost child can easily become an injured child, or worse. We appreciate it�s difficult to keep an eye on children all the time, especially when everyone wants to relax on a beach, but an adult only needs to be distracted for a few seconds for a child to disappear from view, and kids do seem to be attracted to water, just like a moth to a flame. So the simple advice is to ensure that children don�t disappear from view and that their activities are keenly watched.�

Steve Wills, RNLI Beach Safety Manager adds,

�At the beach it�s important to supervise children at all times. On arrival arrange a meeting place so everyone knows where to go and wait if you become separated � for example a dedicated lost children post, lifeguard station or beach shop.

�If a kids� safety scheme is running � with perhaps wristbands or tickets � make sure you take part as it is a highly effective way to safeguard children.�

Various schemes run on RNLI patrolled beaches and this year the RNLI has been trialling the Child Safe Scheme at Weymouth (Dorset), and will be looking at the potential of rolling the scheme out to other beaches that it patrols.

Darren Lewis Weymouth RNLI Beach Lifeguard Supervisor explains,

�It�s hoped the scheme will speed up the process of reuniting a missing child with their guardian. While it reduces stress, worry and trauma � it also allows RNLI lifeguards to concentrate on their primary purpose of search and rescue, thereby preventing other children and adults from getting into difficulty or danger at the seaside.

�This scheme works two-fold � it also allows lifeguards to leave a daily safety message on a dedicated telephone line, the number is advertised on posters along the beach, that people can ring before they even leave their home or hotel. This encourages people to consider the weather, sea conditions, before deciding where to go - extremely important given that RNLI research has revealed that only 4% of beach visitors think about safety features.�

Finally Steve Wills, RNLI Beach Safety Manager advises that if you do become separated from your child on a beach without a child safe scheme:

�Try not to panic. Every year thousands of children are reported lost, but in most cases the children are found safe and well within a few minutes.

�Check the area around you or where you last saw your child. If you cannot find them, tell the lifeguards (who are normally located between the red and yellow flags). If you cannot find a lifeguard dial 999 or 112, and ask for the police or coastguard.

�Give some basic information about your child to the lifeguards, police or coastguard to help speed up the search, including: � A description (age, clothing, name etc) � Time and place the child was last seen (this helps determine how far they may have gone) � Any special needs your child may have

�If you go searching for your child make sure any other children you have with you are supervised, and report back to the lifeguards at regular intervals.

�When you locate your child it is important to notify the lifeguards, police or coastguard immediately so they know to stop searching. You may be asked to show proof you are the parent or guardian of the missing child.�

Before visiting a beach, please check out the RNLI website, www.rnli.org.uk/beachlifeguards, for practical advice and tips on how to stay safe, or email beachsafety@rnli.org.uk or telephone 0800 328 0600 for free beach safety literature.

--ENDS--

*Source: Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Notes to Editors 1. Please contact the RNLI press office on 01202 66 3184 / 3510 / 3127 / 3181 / 2218 to arrange interviews, photographs and media facilities or to enquire about future developments. 1. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews have 180 years� experience of saving lives while RNLI lifeguards have been patrolling beaches in the south of England since 2002.

2. The RNLI provides the best possible equipment and training to ensure volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards can do their job in the safest and surest way.

3. The RNLI's annual running costs are around �119M � approximately �325,000 per day � and, as a registered charity, the organisation continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income.

www.rnli.org.uk