Heritage Coast

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Beach care code

Beach Care Code

Whenever you visit a stretch of coastland, you should always be mindful of our beach safety code, this tells you how you can be safe, as well as how to look after our coast

Some do’s and don’ts about visiting the beach…

Do’s

  • Do check the weather before your trip as high winds can bring in the tide very quickly
  • Do wear appropriate clothes – take a waterproof, hat and wear sensible shoes – it is often colder at the coast than inland.
  • Do check tide times so you don’t get caught out.
  • Do keep a watch on the water’s edge to allow time to get back safely.
  • Do take notice of any warning signs and abide by them.
  • Do keep both hands free when climbing over rocks as seaweed can make them very slippy.
  • Do have fun!

Don’ts

  • Don’t go near cliff edges, or work underneath them or climb on them as they can be unstable.
  • Don’t throw anything off a cliff or at people or animals.
  • Don’t go into the sea in rough water as waves can easily sweep you away.
  • Don’t go into the sea deeper than knee height.
  • Don’t walk on rocks in bare feet as they can cut you. It is advisable to always wear footwear on the beach because of jellyfish, glass and other sharp objects.
  • Don’t touch any bottles, drums or unusual containers on the beach in case they contain toxic substances. Report them to your local authority.

Conservation Code

The beach also has its own conservation code:

  • Watch the seashore without disturbing it – don’t take living things away from the shore, use your senses.
  • Return seashore life to its own place – always put any plants, animals or even rocks found on the shore back where you found them; never take living animals home with you.
  • Keep seaweeds alive – never pull out living or attached seaweed as they are home to lots of small animals, only take loose seaweed in the strandline.
  • Do not disturb any mammals or birds found on the beach – they could lose valuable feeding time or desert their young.
  • Keep the beach clean – take all litter home with you or put it in the appropriate bin.
  • Leave the beach as you found it so others can enjoy it after you.
  • Don’t forget to always take your litter home with you!