Health and Safety: Swimming Pool and Beach Safety
We know that cooling off in the pool or relaxing on the beach are major holiday highlights - hello, the proofs in our name. But whether you’re a toe-dipper, an enthusiastic splasher or a serious swimmer, it’s important to keep yourself and your fellow travellers safe when you’re near the water. Only swim where it is permitted to do so and don’t swim anywhere that may be beyond your ability. Look out for safety notices and advice, and read our tips below to help you become a water safety wizard.
General water safety
Make sure you know how and where to get help in the event of an emergency, e.g. the local coastguard or emergency services.
Read the pool or beach rules before you swim, and keep in mind that most holiday accommodation does not employ a lifeguard.
Keep your swimming capability in mind - avoid going out of your depth or distances from land that are beyond your ability.
Supervise children in and around the water at all times. Little ones should wear age and ability-appropriate swimwear, e.g. inflatable arm bands. We teamed-up with Rebecca Adlington to give you the low-down on Swimming Pool safety when it comes to kids swimwear, because quite a lot of colours aren't actually visible under water! Read all about the Kids' Swimwear Alert and sign our petition by clicking the link.
Never swim after drinking alcohol. Avoid swimming immediately after eating.
Do not swim at night.
Don’t jump or dive into any body of water without checking the depth and whether it’s free from underwater hazards first – keep in mind that submerged branches, rocks and other debris can move into spots that may have been safe to dive into the day before, especially in the sea.
Swimming pool safety
Only swim during the pool’s official opening hours, never when it’s closed.
Check the pool layout, including where the shallow and deep ends are, before jumping or diving in. Never dive into water that’s less than 1.5m deep, and don’t jump or dive from any poolside furniture or raised features - it's not cool and it's not smart... and you're all smart people.
Don’t change nappies by the poolside - we reckon this is a given, but you don't wanna end up with a poo(l) problem like this. In the event of an accident, report it to the hotel or swimming pool staff immediately.
Leave 48 hours before entering the pool after suffering from an upset stomach - your fellow jolly-goers will thank you for it.
Beach safety
Check warning flags and signs, and follow safety advice on the beach - things can change at the drop of a hat, so stay vigilant and your beach day bliss is a sure thing.
Look out for dangerous currents and underwater hazards such as rocks, reefs, sudden depth changes and marine life.
Never swim alone. Swim only at beaches where there’s a lifeguard on duty - that extra layer of protection will do wonders for that peace of mind.
Never swim where a sign warns you not to, e.g. in jet ski or motorboat zones - seems like a no brainer, but these things can be easily missed, so keep your eyes peeled.
Don’t jump or dive from piers, breakwaters, coral or rocks, and try to stay clear of them when swimming too - the risk is, simply put, not bloomin' worth it.