BBC News | UK | Mother's plea for beach safety

A sea safety code is being launched by the mother of a five-year-old boy who drowned on a day trip to a beach in Norfolk.

Debbie Parker's son Jake was found dead in a harbour at Brancaster beach a week after being swept away by rough seas last August.

Mrs Parker said: "Nothing we can do will bring Jake back - but if we can stop this terrible tragedy from happening again, his life will not have been lost in vain."

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) code advises families:

Check weather and tides before going to the beach,
Keep children within reach at all times
Tie inflatables to the shore
Keep away from cliff edges and not to swim straight after eating or drinking.

A survey of 530 people with children under 14 from inland and coastal areas revealed a lack of knowledge of beach safety, with very few families knowing what to do in an emergency or taking precautions before heading to the beach.

The report was undertaken for the Sea Smart Campaign.

Beach survey
Only one in three would dial 999 asking for coastguards if there was trouble
Nearly half (44%) said they would shout for help
Nine out of 10 would not bother to check the tides before going to the beach
16% would not take any safety precautions
Principal Coastguard search and rescue officer Peter Dymond said: "Too many people still aren't aware of the basic precautions that can help prevent accidents at the beach, or that the coastguard is the emergency service for all sea and shore line rescues.

"Dialling 999 and asking for coastguard is the quickest way to get help at the coast."

Figures from HM Coastguard show that 12,000 incidents were reported to coastguards last year, with nearly 250 lives lost along the British coastline.

The National Trust is distributing Sea Smart postcards, stickers and posters in its shops, car parks and holiday homes.

Spokeswoman Jo Burgon said: "The National Trust owns more than 600 miles of coast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so we are pleased to be able to help raise awareness of beach safety with the MCA's campaign.

"We hope that we will help reduce incidents and save lives."


		^^ Back to top News Front Page \| World \| UK \| UK Politics \| Business \| Sci/Tech \| Health \| Education \| Entertainment \| Talking Point \| In Depth \| AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> \| To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII\|News Sources\|Privacy