10 Jan: Surf safety for all

Our highly-skilled professional lifeguards work 365 days a year to ensure everyone is safe and enjoy their day at the beach.

We encourage everyone to stay safe at our beautiful beaches by following lifeguard directions and obeying signage. Make sure you:

• Always swim between the red and yellow flags under lifeguard supervision. Remember, no flags, no swim.
• Never swim where you see the Dangerous Current sign.
• If you are not an experienced swimmer, don't swim alone.
• Don't swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Learn to recognise dangerous rips and waves. Often the beach has only gentle waves and currents, but sometimes the waves or currents can be very powerful and overwhelm swimmers.
• Keep hydrated and stay cool to avoid heat-related illness and worsening of exiting medical conditions.

Beachgoers are prohibited from smoking and bringing alcohol to any beach. Never leave your valuables unattended.

For key beach safety messages in languages other than English, visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/recreation/beaches_and_coast

- Waverley Mayor, John Wakefield.

This column first appeared in the Wentworth Courier and City Hub.