Settlement Guide: 6 ways to stay safe at the beach in Australia

Follow these six tips to ensure your day at the beach is both fun and safe!]

Brisbane, July 24, 2002. Yoshitaka Yamamoto from Japan at Southbank beach in Brisbane. He is here to learn about water safety. Source: AAP

1. Always swim between the red and yellow flags

When you see red and yellow flags on a beach it indicates that there is currently a lifesaving service operating on that beach.

Source: Mark Gunter

2. Read the safety signs

Before you go on to the beach be sure to read the safety signs.

Source: waverly council

3. Ask a lifeguard for safety advice

Lifeguards are highly trained and very knowledgeable about beach safety and conditions.

Source: AAP

4. Swim with a friend

While you are swimming together you can keep an eye out for each other.

Source: Tricia CC BY 2.0

5. If you need help, stay calm and attract attention

If you require a lifeguard’s assistance to get back to shore, stay calm, raise your arm in the air and wave it from side to side.

Source: beachsafe.org

And of course, don't forget to:

6. Slip, Slop, Slap

'SLIP on a T-Shirt, SLOP on some sunscreen and SLAP on a hat' is the famous advice that has long been recommended by the Australian Cancer Council for staying sun-safe at the beach. 

These days, they've extended the advice further to be include SEEK shade and SLIDE on some sunglasses. 

Read more on the Cancer Council website and see their campaign video below:

Visit beachsafe.org.au for information in languages including Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Malay, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.