Authorities have laid out safety rules for swimmers as a spring tide rolls in around the coast.
|||As the festive season reaches its peak with 3 million visitors expected to flock to KwaZulu-Natal, officials have warned holidaymakers not to drink liquor before swimming and to beware of a spring tide expected at the province’s beaches this weekend.
Economic Development MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu appealed to people behave during the festive season.
“Alcohol is dangerous. People should not drink and swim at the beach because they will drown.”
Mabuyakhulu said parents should ensure their children wore wearing name tags, which included the parents’ contact numbers in case children got lost at the beach.
The National Sea Rescue Institute’s educational arm, WaterWise, warned that a spring tide was expected at the weekend.
Spokesman Craig Lambinon warned that people should be extra cautious at the beaches.
“The tides will be extreme and the currents stronger than usual because of the spring tide. We urge beachgoers to be careful and keep a close watch on their children,” he said.
Lambinon said that people should have a plan in place when going to a beach, in case things went wrong.
“This plan would include a spot to meet at if a person is separated from the group, and making sure that everybody in the group knows the telephone number for the ambulance service (10177), which can be dialled from a landline or cellphone.”
Lambinon advised people to pack sunscreen, a hat, food and water for trips to the beach.
“If you spend too much time in the sun, you might get dehydrated and tired. It is very dangerous to swim when you are not feeling well.”
He added that people should only swim at beaches where lifeguards were on duty.
“Remember to swim between their flags. If lifeguards are not on duty, do not swim.” - The Mercury