Parents are urged to keep children within easy reach at all times

That is the finding of a new survey by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Guernsey has one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world, with a 10-metre difference between high and low water.

Despite the fact most locals think they know the seas, the Agency said many Guernsey people still got caught out on a regular basis.

Safety measures

James Hannon, from Solent Coastguards, said there were basic safety measures that could be taken by beachgoers.

"They should check the weather and tides before they leave to go to the beach.

"They should also keep their children within reach at all times and make sure an adult supervises any use of inflatables.

"Another safety message is to keep away from cliff edges which can become slippery."

Stark warning

The National Beach Council has issued a stark warning to people not to take inflatable toys, airbeds or rubber dinghies into the sea.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute's beach safety manager, Steve Wills, said the toys could be fun in a swimming pool, but the advice was not to use them at the beach.

He said that although the water could look safe and calm, it could sweep an inflatable and child away from the shore very quickly.