Strandfontein lifesaving and rescue crew members are ready to serve and ensure the safety of beach-goers this summer.
The Blue Flag was raised and the City of Cape Town’s recreation and parks department launched the annual Summer Festival at Strandfontein Beach on Saturday December 8.
The flag is an international accreditation which is awarded to beaches that display excellence through meeting 33 criteria covering four categories namely, environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management and safety.
JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security; and social services, announced the deployment of additional staff for the festive season.
This includes more than 300 lifeguards who will be on duty at beaches and swimming pools, shark spotters at eight beaches and specialised law enforcement and fire and rescue service dive crews with watercraft to assist in the event of sea rescues.
He said the City was working closely with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and other role-players to ensure the safety of beach-goers.
During the festive season joint operations focused on life-saving, law enforcement, first aid and beach cleaning to promote a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for all visitors and residents will be conducted.
Sean Gordon, chairman of Strandfontein Surf and Lifesaving Club, appealed to beach-goers to be aware of their surroundings and obey the instructions of on duty lifeguards.He listed the following water safety tips in accordance with Lifesaving South Africa:
When at the beach always swim between the red and yellow flags. At the pool, always swim where lifeguards are on duty or qualified supervision.
Dam or river swimmers must always consider the depth of the water before entering it.
Do not swim after having taken medication or consuming alcohol.
Always swim with a friend; stay close to the shore; and within your depth.
Children should be under adult supervision at all times.
Check the weather and water conditions before swimming. Never swim at night or get into the water during a storm.
The City’s social development and early childhood development department will support the promotion of child safety through the Identikidz project. All children arriving at the beaches will be registered and issued with an identification tag or armband. In the event that the child is separated from their caregiver or parent, staff will work with other role-players to ensure the reunification of lost children.
The beach programme includes litter collection on all the beaches, and the City’s solid waste management department is geared to implement extra top-up cleansing services during the high season.
The City’s 24-hour Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) will be adequately staffed to ensure that all incidents received are logged and dispatched to the relevant service providers. Depending on the situation or event, additional staff will be brought in to cover the influx of calls.
For any emergency call 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.