North West RNLI lifeguards offer safety advice ahead of weather warning

The Met Office has issued Yellow weather warnings for the majority of the UK, including the North West of England. This weekend forecasters predict rainy conditions with strong westerly winds, especially affecting the coast.

Weather forecasts predict that by Friday afternoon, the North West coast will be affected by rainy spells, with a small chance of flooding in some areas. On the Wirral, the forecast predicts thundery showers and the bad weather is set to continue on Saturday, with the added element of strong winds set to sweep the North West.

RNLI lifeguards, who operate on beaches on the Wirral, Formby and Crosby, strongly recommend that members of the public take extra caution near the sea this weekend, as strong winds can create large waves and changing currents, which can cause even strong swimmers to struggle.

Make sure that you visit a lifeguarded beach, and only swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by lifeguards. RNLI lifeguards assess the weather and sea conditions throughout the day and change the flags on the beach accordingly.

If you see a red flag at a lifeguarded beach, do not enter the water, as it is unsafe for any water activities. You might see an orange windsock at an RNLI lifeguarded beach this weekend, which signals that there are offshore or strong winds and inflatables should not be used. For a detailed breakdown of all the different flags you might find at the beach, visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the Wirral Ryan Jennings, said, ‘Make sure that you always pay attention to what flags and signs you can see on the beach, as they will tell you what the dangers are and if it’s safe to enter the water. If you’re ever unsure of anything, always ask a lifeguard for advice, as they are there to prevent as many incidents as possible.’

If you do go out to sea, make sure that you carry a means of calling for help, and if you see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

RNLI lifeguards patrol over 240 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands each summer, you can find your nearest here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

RNLI Media Contacts:

Katie Lewis, Media Engagement Placement, Wales and West at Katie_lewis@rnli.org.uk alternatively contact Danielle Rush, Regional Media Manager on 07786668829 or at Danielle_rush@rnli.org.uk

Notes for editors:

As RNLI lifeguards need to be physically on the beach during the patrolled hours, ready to respond to emergencies and prevent accidents, the RNLI can’t rely on volunteers to provide this cover seven days a week. Local authorities part fund the RNLI’s costs, which helps to meet the cost of lifeguard wages.