Beach Safety: Perth has a number of beautiful sandy beaches to choose from, and while swimming at Perth's beaches is generally very safe, there are some things you should know, particularly if you have not visited Perth beaches before. Rips and strong currents can develop, and the following tips will help to make your trip to the beach in Perth a fun and safe one.
- Read all warning signs which have been placed at the beach you are visiting. These signs may contain special warnings or current conditions regarding the surf.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags, these are there to indicate the area with the safest swimming conditions.
- If you are not a good swimmer or you are unsure of the surf conditions ask a lifesaver for advice, they are there to help keep you safe.
- Swim with a friend or near other swimmers, that way if you do get into trouble you will easily be noticed.
- If you do find yourself caught in a strong current or a rip, do not try to swim against it, instead save your energy. If you are caught in a current or having difficulty in the water, stay calm and raise your arm in the air for help. The lifesavers who patrol the beaches are watching the water and this will gain their attention.
- If you are unsure of the depth of the water, then do not run and dive into the surf. If you should accidentally hit a sandbank you could be seriously injured. It is much better to enter the surf and check the depth of the water first.
By following the above guidelines, you can enjoy your time at Perth's wonderful beaches and have a safe fun time in the water.
Sun Safety: Perth's sunshine attracts many visitors, and you may be tempted to soak up all that wonderful sunshine and get the perfect tan as quickly as possible. But many international visitors, particularly those who are not used to a bright sunny climate, can underestimate the time it takes to overdo it and burn. Simply looking at your skin will not give you an indication of whether you are getting sun burnt, as sunburn can take hours or even longer to fully develop after you have come in out of the sun.
To avoid letting a bad case of sunburn spoil your Perth holiday, follow these simple tips, particularly when spending any length of time at the beach.
- Use a sunscreen which blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and if possible, apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. Re-apply sunscreen every few hours, and also after toweling off or swimming as this will remove some of the sunscreen, even if it is a water resistant product.
- Take a t-shirt to the beach with you so that you can slip it over the top of your bathers. A loose fitting shirt made from cotton or poly/cotton is the most comfortable choice, and anything with a tight weave will offer better sun protection. Darker coloured clothing will also block out more sun than light coloured clothes.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat to limit the sun exposure to your face, neck and ears. A wide brimmed hat is a much better choice than a cap as it will cast a shadow around your face and protect the side of your neck and ears from sunburn.
- Wear sunglasses when outside on sunny days. The Perth sunshine can be very bright, and sunglasses will reduce the glare and stop you from squinting.
- If you are going to be outside all day, especially in the summer months, try to find some shade cover, particularly during the middle of the day when the sun is at it's strongest, so that you are not out in the full sun all day long.
Finally, if you do overdo things and get sun burnt, there are treatments available from the nearest chemist or pharmacy which will help reduce the pain and burning that sunburn can cause.
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