AFTER A hectic weekend of activity for lifeboat and coastguard services dealing with a spate of incidents in Tayside and Fife the RNLI has urged youngsters to follow some seaside safety advice as the heatwave continues.

After a number of incidents involving jet skis, stranded swimmers and abandoned dinghies the RNLI hopes its advice can help prevent people getting into danger.

Last year 122 under-18s were rescued by the RNLI in Scotland, and 39% were rescued from three main dangers—tidal cut-off, rip currents and offshore winds.

In an attempt to address the problem the charity has now launched its Beachwise summer safety campaign.

Rachel Martin, from RNLI Scotland, said simple steps such as checking the weather, the area around the beach and where the help points are based can make a real difference.

Ms Martin said other safety advice includes always going to the beach with a friend, reading the safety information and obeying the beach flags.

“Many of the children rescued by the RNLI around Scotland in 2005 were stranded by incoming tides or had been blown out to sea on inflatables. We believe that if people follow our safe message the worst thing that will happen this summer will be the lack of sun.”

As part of the Beachwise campaign the RNLI has set up an interactive website at www.rnli.org.uk/shorething