Water safety

To stay safe at the beach, always remember F.L.A.G.S.

F - Find the red and yellow flags and swim between them.
Always swim where there is a lifeguard on patrol, and stay inside the area marked by the red and yellow flags. Never swim where a sign says not to, or when the red flag is flying.

L - Look at the safety signs.
Always read and obey the safety signs - they will help you to avoid potential dangers on the beach, and to identify the safest areas for swimming.

A - Ask a lifeguard for advice.
If in doubt, it's always best to play it safe and ask the experts.

G - Get a friend to swim with you.
Make sure there are other people around, because you never know when help might be needed.

S - Stick your hand in the air and shout for help if you get into difficulty.

If you see someone in difficulty:

• Always tell a Lifeguard
• Or if you can't see one CALL 999 / 112 ask for the Coastguard

Water Safety Ireland lifeguards provide full time cover at the following locations during the months of July and August, daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• Ballyallia, Ennis
• Ballycuggeran, Killaloe
• Bishops Quarter, Ballyvaughan
• Cappagh Pier, Kilrush
• Fanore
• Kilkee
• Lahinch
• Mountshannon
• Seafield, Quilty
• Spanish Point
• Whitestrand, Doonbeg
• Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay

Great credit is due to the many volunteers who devoted their time to teaching swimming and water safety to huge numbers of children. It is hoped that many more young people will continue to learn swimming and life saving techniques, ensuring that County Clare will be able to call on lifeguards of the highest quality to protect the beaches and amenity areas throughout the county for many years to come.