HM Coastguard has launched its summer ‘coast clever’ campaign to encourage visitors to stay safe as they head to the seaside.

Posters and safety messages will outline safety tips and warn of potential dangers such as cliff falls, tidal cut offs, offshore winds and mud.

Over the last three years, more people have drowned in July than any other month, according to data from the Water Incident Database (WAID). The majority of casualties were males in the 20-29 age bracket. And last year, HM Coastguard responded to over 600 incidents where people were cut off by the tide.

‘Each year, HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided. Through our Coast Clever campaign, we’re aiming to provide essential tips and guidance to help keep people safe this summer,’ said chief coastguard Pat O’Callaghan.

‘We’d like the public to enjoy the warmer weather and our wonderful coastline, but they need to be aware of the risks. Mud, tides, cliffs and offshore winds can very quickly put lives in danger,’ he added.

HM Coastguard recommends that anyone visiting the coast should follow its top ten tips to be coast clever:

  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off
  • Cliffs can be unstable, so stay clear of cliff edges and bases
  • Watch out for mud and if you do get stuck, lean back to spread your weight
  • Avoid water sports in an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back
  • Take a fully charged mobile phone and consider taking a PLB (personal locator beacon) which alerts the emergency services from the remotest of locations
  • In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Anyone who gets into difficulty while on the coast should call 999 and ask for Coastguard.’