Tips For A Safe And Healthy Holiday Beach Season

As the summer holidays approach and families flock to Queensland's beautiful coast, it's time to think about beach safety.

Nicolette Lowe, Patrol Captain, Junior Activities Education and Training Officer with the Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), shared her tips on beach safety for a happy and healthy holiday season.

With over 30 years' involvement with Surf Life Saving, Nicolette stressed the importance of both water and sun safety when spending time with your family at the beach.

Keeping a close eye on small children, particularly in and around the water, is essential,� she said.

It's also a good idea to seek regular respite from the full sun and drink plenty of water to avoid the symptoms of heat exhaustion.�

Although Suttons Beach, where the Redcliffe Peninsula SLSC is based, is fairly sheltered, the same water safety rules and guidelines apply if you're heading up or down the coast.

The number one rule is to swim between the red and yellow flags,� Nicolette said.

This is an area determined by experienced lifesavers to be the safest for swimming. It's also where the majority of our team and equipment is based, ready to respond if anyone has difficulty in the water or surrounding area.�

Ocean swimmers also have to be aware of sharing the water with surf craft users and native wildlife, but if they have any questions about rules, etiquette, or water conditions, lifesavers are there to help.

Lifesavers provide signage with information about the day's conditions and are always happy to chat. If you have any questions, or need first aid, please see the lifesavers on patrol,� Nicolette said.

Children as young as five years old can get involved in surf lifesaving through the super-popular Nippers program, where they gain skills and experience to be confident in the water, and those aged 15 years and over can become lifesavers by completing the Bronze Medallion course.

Volunteer surf lifesavers have been keeping Australians safe at the beach for over 100 years, and with Surf Life Saving, there is a role for everyone,� Nicolette said.

For more information, or to sign up for upcoming courses, visit www.redcliffeslsc.com.au