A day out at the beach should be filled with nothing more than a session making sandcastles, seaside picnics and perhaps even some water sports.Sadly, though, each summer sees a number of life-threatening, and even fatal, incidents occur at the beach affecting all manner of holidaymakers, from young children to grown adults.Indeed, as soaring temperatures drive hordes of Britons out to the shores, there is extra cause to be careful when swimming in the sea.In fact, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) reports that there are three times as many accidental drownings during extreme heat as on a typical summer’s day at the beach.Over the weekend, two men lost their lives at Seaton Carew beach, in Hartlepool, while attempting to rescue two children who had got into difficulty.The children were deemed safe and were taken to hospital to be checked over. In another recent incident, James Downs, 47, and his 11-year-old son became trapped in mud at St Mary’s Bay beach, in Romney Marsh. The pair managed to escape, but the father told KentOnline that he felt ‘so lucky to still be alive’.Millions visit beaches across the UK with their family and friends every summer, and the events are stark reminders of how quickly things can go wrong. ‘There’s no such thing as a safe beach,’ Ross MacLeod, water safety manager at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), told The Telegraph. Getting caught out by the tide is a major risk when enjoying a day at the beach, and MacLeod recommends checking the tide times on the Met Office’s website and speaking with local lifeguards. Over the weekend, two men tragically lost their lives while trying to help two children in the sea at Seaton Carew beach, pictured Another recent incident involved a father and son getting stuck in mud at St Mary’s Bay, though both fortunately managed to get out’Tides are really difficult to understand, and for most people they won’t need to think about them apart from those two or three times a year that they go to the beach,’ he says.When swimming in the sea, it’s vital to carry a tow float and wear a bright, fluorescent swim cap to help stay visible. If going out in the sea alone, letting someone know what time you plan to be back is also important. Inflatables are to be avoided too, as they can sometimes pull swimmers out to sea, and it’s best to swim across the beach, not out into the ocean. ‘Always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags,’ MacLeod adds. Wearing sun cream, staying hydrated and keeping in the shade are all important factors for protecting your health, too. With the recent spate of hot weather across the UK, the RNLI is ‘urging families to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water – this could be a conversation that saves lives’.In a recent statement, MacLeod warns about cold water shock – which can occur when someone enters water below 15C. ‘The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly,’ he explains.’It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.’The RNLI expert continues: ‘Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and Float to Live – try to relax and float on their back, with their head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. ‘This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety.’And, if you’re enjoying a day by the sea and spot someone else in danger, MacLeod advises against getting into the water yourself.’Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring,’ he says. Earlier this year, a 72-year-old woman passed away after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in PembrokeshireIn addition to the tragic incident at Seaton Carew beach, as well as the unfortunate events that occurred at St Mary’s Bay, there have been several other coastal accidents across the country in recent months.A 72-year-old woman passed away after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire earlier this year, the BBC reports. While the beach is a popular spot for families on account of its excellent rock pooling and surfing opportunities, it is also considered a dangerous spot for bathing due to strong currents.Indeed, Beaches of Pembrokeshire notes that there is no lifeguard service available here, so ‘caution is advised’.Meanwhile, a man in his 60s died at Tregirls Beach, in Cornwall, after he reportedly ran into the sea to help two relatives, according to the news outlet.This spot is also a non-patrolled beach, meaning visitors are advised to be highly cautious of tides and currents and stay close to the coast if they do choose to swim. For those wanting to swim with the protection of lifeguards, Polzeath Beach and Daymer Bay offer patrolling services and are each a 40-minute drive away.In Merseyside, 15-year-old Chiedza Nyanjowa died after getting into difficulty at Formby beach, becoming the 13th person to die during the May heatwave.While Formby beach itself is lifeguarded between 10am and 6pm, swimmers are advised to take extra precautions when swimming here due to the fast-moving tides, deep drop-offs and cold water which may cause issues even for strong swimmers. HM Coastguard’s beach safety tips: 1. Choose a beach which is patrolled by lifeguards2. Check local signs and flags for risks3. Know your location and be familiar with the area4. Remember ‘Float to Live’: ‘If you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float with your head back and your ears submerged’5. Look after each other – keep an eye on children and don’t go exploring alone Source: HM Coastguard <!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/travel/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – ->