A LIFEBOAT station is urging residents to stay safe in the hot weather, especially when heading to Dovercourt's beaches.

Harwich RNLI has issued a statement warning people to take a "huge amount" of care near and in the water as the summer heat rises.

The warning comes after crews attended a variety of incidents around the coast in recent weeks.

There also appears to have been a rise in the popularity of kayaking, including the use of inflatable kayaks, and in the use of paddle boards.

A Harwich RNLI spokesman said: "The past few months has seen some very difficult times for everybody, some huge adjustments to life, and some missing out on some big milestones and events in life.

"Summer is now marching on, and we are well in to the school summer holiday period.

"A lot of people are settling on a ‘staycation’, heading to the coast, or even making more use of a beach close to home."

With the weather continuing to hit the 30C mark, volunteers are encouraging residents to take these points on board:

  • Keep a close eye on each other
  • Know your limits
  • If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, remember to lay back and #FloatToLive
  • Don’t use inflatables in the sea, and if you do, please ensure they are tethered to the shore
  • Tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to return
  • Have a waterproof means of calling for help
  • If you see somebody that you think might be in difficulty in the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Do not attempt a rescue that will put you at risk.
  • If you’re unsure of your exact location, use of the What3Words App can help to accurately narrow down where you are and relay the information to the Coastguard