How to Stay Safe at the Coast in Skegness

Your guide to Lincolnshire coastal safety - working in partnership with the Atlantis Alliance to make the Lincolnshire coast the safest place to live, work and visit.

Introduction

The Lincolnshire coastline has long been a vibrant hub for seasonal tourism, with resorts like Skegness, Ingoldmells and Mablethorpe boasting over 50 miles of breathtaking shoreline. The region's diverse attractions draw visitors from far and wide, particularly during the bustling summer months.

Skegness alone welcomes around 2.3 million visitors each year. For a town with a permanent population of roughly 20,000 people which swells to an astonishing 250,000 in peak season, the surge in demand for services required a well-coordinated multi-agency approach. This ensures that both residents and tourists receive the highest quality support from the law enforcement and local partners.

With over 26,000 caravans spread across 262 sites along the Lincolnshire coast, the dynamic and ever-changing population presents unique challenges. The East Coast Policing Plan introduced new staffing models for Lincolnshire Police frontline officers, complemented by targeted multi-agency summer initiatives aimed at maintaining public safety - whether on beaches, at entertainment venues, or across the road network.

Recent data evaluations have provided valuable insights into seasonal trends in crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, water safety and beyond; helping us identify patterns, locations and affected communities. This enhanced understanding enables us to deploy multi-agency assistance strategically, focusing on areas with the greatest need.

The help visitors make the most of their time in Lincolnshire, this information has been provided as a useful guide to local services and safety measures.

 

Caravan Crime Prevention

Keeping your valuables safe

• Don't leave handbags, car keys or other items of value by open windows, especially when you go to bed at night. Anyone can reach in and remove them.
• Lock your doors and windows when you leave the caravan.
• Don't leave your bikes outside, they will be safer inside your caravan.
• At night when you are going to bed, close your curtains or nets to prevent anyone seeing your valuables

Keeping your caravan safe

• If you're leaving your caravan for a number of days/weeks, remove electronic goods from sight.
• Leave the curtains open, so people can see there is nothing to steal.
• If possible, set a light on timer switches to periodically switch on.
• Fill in your registration pack with details of make/model/serial numbers of valuable items.
• Communicate with neighbours and your office if you are leaving your caravan.
• If you have an alarm, set it every time you leave your holiday home for a period of time.
• Mark your goods with a UV pen or similar.

Skegness Cavaran Safety

• All caravans must be fitted with a working smoke alarm. Test the smoke alarms on arrival, or every week for long-term stays and never remove the batteries.
• If you smoke, use metal ashtrays and never smoke in bed if you are likely to fall asleep.
• Don't block air vents - if any leaking gas builds up you may fall unconscious and be unable to escape. Ensure air vents are clear - if air vents get blocked, it could be fatal.
• Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed.
• When cooking, don't leave any pans unattended.
• Find out the firefighting arrangements on the campsite.
• Don't dry clothes over the stove
• Keep children away from matches or lighters.
• Children should never be left alone in a caravan
• Remove any little and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Gas cylinders should be kept outside the caravan. Gas cylinders should be turned off unless they are designed to run continuously, and you should only change the bottle when they are completely empty.
• If you suspect that there is a gas leak, turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve, open all doors and windows and do not smoke or turn on any electrical switches or appliances until you have been given the all clear.
• Never use fuel-burning devices inside the caravan (e.g. disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns and charcoal grills).

Visit GOV.uk for advice on private renting safety responsibilities or ask your local district council for more information.

You can check out our recommended caravan repair teams here to make sure your caravan is secure and safe whilst you're on holiday.

 

The Atlantis Alliance Lincolnshire

The Atlantis Alliance is a group of agencies working together to ensure that the Lincolnshire coast is a safe place to live, work and visit.

These agencies include Lincolnshire Police, National Coastwatch, His Majesty's Coastguard, the RNLI and local councils.

Over the holiday season, staff from across the alliance will be at Skegness central beach, next to the lifeboat station and the alliance beach hut on the promenade at Queen's Park in Mablethorpe. They will be there to chat with people and provide information on a variety of subjects, such as:

• Caravan crime, along with precautions you can take to keep belongings safe
• Advice on beach and water safety
• Information on where to get support regarding domestic abuse
• As well as simply being there to say hello, for you to look around, ask questions, and take pictures with all the equipment we have

 

The Sandi Starfish Scheme

Sandi Starfish wristbands are a valuable tool in supporting emergency services as they help families of young children and vulnerable adults across our busy beaches to keep safe. They are brightly coloured and extremely recognisable by the emergency services and local businesses, they provide a space to write your phone number as an emergency contact.

Each summer, emergency services face the challenge of multiple reports of missing young children and vulnerable adults. This causes huge distress for the families involved as well as the impact it has on the police, RNLI and coastguard. Sandi Starfish flags are flown at all RNLI lifeguard units on lifeguarded beaches in Lincolnshire, with each location (Skegness, Sutton On Sea and Mablethorpe) having free wristbands available to everyone.

Key locations up and down the coast will fly the Sandi flags as a point of safety for children to go to if they get separated from their family.

Please remember the Sandi wristbands are FREE and are available from all coastal police stations, all RNLI lifeguard units and numerous venues across our coastline, such as Skegness Aquarium, Natureland, Magna Vitae sites and other businesses that displays the Sandi Starfish wristband posters. Just look out for the Sandi Starfish sign!

 

Top tips for a safe trip to the beach

Child Safety

• Designate a meeting spot and make sure the whole family knows to go there and wait if you are separated. A Sandi Starfish flag is located on the seafront and is designed to be seen by children from a distance. Show your child the picture of Sandi so they know what to look for.
• Tell your child that if they get separated from you, they should go to the flag where they can wait for you or ideally approach someone in uniform and tell them they are lost.
• Use a Sandi Starfish wristband. Write your phone number on the wristband so you can be contacted if your child is found.
• Keep an up-to-date photo of them on your phone to show officers so they know who they are looking for. Ideally take one on a phone or digital camera when you arrive at the beach to show exactly what they are wearing. It's a good idea to wear bright, eye-catching clothing.
• Ensure you have a charged mobile phone with you.
• Take or have access to plenty of drinking water, sun cream and hats.

Water safety

• Swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Use inflatables with caution. Keep an eye for the orange windsock above the lifeguard units. If you see the message "no inflatables", keep inflatables out of the water. This windsock is only flown when the wind is blowing offshore and is dangerous for inflatables to be used. The wind can take you or your child out to sea, making it difficult to swim back.
• Never mix alcohol and swimming. This is not a good combination and can have severe consequences.
• If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, "float to live" - Lay on your back and look up to the sky with your ears in the water. Calm your breathing down and when you are able to, shout for help.
• Some parts of our beaches have a public space protection order in place throughout the season, prohibiting your from taking dogs on the beach. Please pay attention to the signage around the beach, or check out our guide on dog friendly beaches in Skegness.
• Have a waterproof pouch for your phone or valuables so you're not leaving it on the beach whilst you go for a paddle, as an opportunist might take it.
• finally, whilst we all love to dig holes in the sand and make sandcastles, DO NOT dig very deep holes. Sand collapses do happen and can be extremely dangerous.

Weever Fish in Skegness

Weever fish are small fish, unlike others they have spiked spines along their back which are needle-sharp. They spend most of their time buried in the sand, particularly at low tide when the water is warm. Their spiked spines poke through the sand as a barrier of protection for them. If you stand on them, they sting you with a small amount of poison that can be extremely painful. If you are stung, you might have 1-3 puncture wounds on the base on your foot and it may feel hot and inflamed.

How to treat a fever fish sting:

• Treatment of the sting is fairly simple and it's important to initially find a source of hot water. The water needs to be as hot as you can bear, but still comfortable enough to place your foot into. This has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the poison by breaking down its protein, and helps to reduce pain.
• Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for the toxin, however its effects are usually fairly mild other than being painful. It is recommended to keep any wounds open and let them bleed out (if they are bleeding). The blood loss won't be high and this will help clear your body of some of the toxins.
• The worst of the pain generally happens within the first 30 minutes of a sting. It might be a good idea to take mild painkillers if you are able to, to help manage the pain.
• It also might feel helpful to have a warm bath that evening, as some of the symptoms can persist for a few hours.
• If you're visiting a lifeguarded beach, speak to the lifeguards if you think you have been stung by a weever fish. They have boiling water in their units so can help treat your sting and also monitor you for any more adverse reactions.

 

Domestic Abuse

It's meant to be a break but actually, holidays can be stressful. Alcohol, money, spending more time together... these things can trigger abusive behaviour.

Help and support

Call Lincolnshire Police on 101, or 999 if it's an emergency.

We know not everyone wants to report to the police, but there is help regardless. You can find more information here.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is always open: 0808 2000 247.

"Safe spaces" are available in pharmacies, where you can consider support options away from the prying eyes of your abuser.

What is domestic abuse?

Abuse is not always physical.

Is your relationship a healthy one?

Does your partner:

• Put you down?
• Constantly criticise you?
• Ridicule and mock you?
• Control who you see, where you go, what you do?
• Control your money?
• Check your phone or your social media?
• Act in a jealous and possessive way?
• Pressure for sex?
• Go from charming one minute, to full of rage the next?
• Follow you or turn up unexpectedly to check on you?

Does abuse affect you:

• Do you change your actions and behaviour to avoid setting them off?
• Do you find yourself making excuses when family and friends want to see you, because you know they won't like it?
• Are you anxious around them, feeling like you are walking on eggshells?

Sometimes, when you are in a situation it's hard to acknowledge there is a problem, and you might find yourself making excuses for the abuse or thinking it's your fault. Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it.

For the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service call 01522 502 041, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for more support.

 

Your guide to Lincolnshire coastal safety - working in partnership with the Atlantis Alliance to make the Lincolnshire coast the safest place to live, work and visit.

Introduction

The Lincolnshire coastline has long been a vibrant hub for seasonal tourism, with resorts like Skegness, Ingoldmells and Mablethorpe boasting over 50 miles of breathtaking shoreline. The region's diverse attractions draw visitors from far and wide, particularly during the bustling summer months.

Skegness alone welcomes around 2.3 million visitors each year. For a town with a permanent population of roughly 20,000 people which swells to an astonishing 250,000 in peak season, the surge in demand for services required a well-coordinated multi-agency approach. This ensures that both residents and tourists receive the highest quality support from the law enforcement and local partners.

With over 26,000 caravans spread across 262 sites along the Lincolnshire coast, the dynamic and ever-changing population presents unique challenges. The East Coast Policing Plan introduced new staffing models for Lincolnshire Police frontline officers, complemented by targeted multi-agency summer initiatives aimed at maintaining public safety - whether on beaches, at entertainment venues, or across the road network.

Recent data evaluations have provided valuable insights into seasonal trends in crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, water safety and beyond; helping us identify patterns, locations and affected communities. This enhanced understanding enables us to deploy multi-agency assistance strategically, focusing on areas with the greatest need.

The help visitors make the most of their time in Lincolnshire, this information has been provided as a useful guide to local services and safety measures.

 

Caravan Crime Prevention

Keeping your valuables safe

• Don't leave handbags, car keys or other items of value by open windows, especially when you go to bed at night. Anyone can reach in and remove them.
• Lock your doors and windows when you leave the caravan.
• Don't leave your bikes outside, they will be safer inside your caravan.
• At night when you are going to bed, close your curtains or nets to prevent anyone seeing your valuables

Keeping your caravan safe

• If you're leaving your caravan for a number of days/weeks, remove electronic goods from sight.
• Leave the curtains open, so people can see there is nothing to steal.
• If possible, set a light on timer switches to periodically switch on.
• Fill in your registration pack with details of make/model/serial numbers of valuable items.
• Communicate with neighbours and your office if you are leaving your caravan.
• If you have an alarm, set it every time you leave your holiday home for a period of time.
• Mark your goods with a UV pen or similar.

Skegness Cavaran Safety

• All caravans must be fitted with a working smoke alarm. Test the smoke alarms on arrival, or every week for long-term stays and never remove the batteries.
• If you smoke, use metal ashtrays and never smoke in bed if you are likely to fall asleep.
• Don't block air vents - if any leaking gas builds up you may fall unconscious and be unable to escape. Ensure air vents are clear - if air vents get blocked, it could be fatal.
• Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed.
• When cooking, don't leave any pans unattended.
• Find out the firefighting arrangements on the campsite.
• Don't dry clothes over the stove
• Keep children away from matches or lighters.
• Children should never be left alone in a caravan
• Remove any little and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Gas cylinders should be kept outside the caravan. Gas cylinders should be turned off unless they are designed to run continuously, and you should only change the bottle when they are completely empty.
• If you suspect that there is a gas leak, turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve, open all doors and windows and do not smoke or turn on any electrical switches or appliances until you have been given the all clear.
• Never use fuel-burning devices inside the caravan (e.g. disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns and charcoal grills).

Visit GOV.uk for advice on private renting safety responsibilities or ask your local district council for more information.

You can check out our recommended caravan repair teams here to make sure your caravan is secure and safe whilst you're on holiday.

 

The Atlantis Alliance Lincolnshire

The Atlantis Alliance is a group of agencies working together to ensure that the Lincolnshire coast is a safe place to live, work and visit.

These agencies include Lincolnshire Police, National Coastwatch, His Majesty's Coastguard, the RNLI and local councils.

Over the holiday season, staff from across the alliance will be at Skegness central beach, next to the lifeboat station and the alliance beach hut on the promenade at Queen's Park in Mablethorpe. They will be there to chat with people and provide information on a variety of subjects, such as:

• Caravan crime, along with precautions you can take to keep belongings safe
• Advice on beach and water safety
• Information on where to get support regarding domestic abuse
• As well as simply being there to say hello, for you to look around, ask questions, and take pictures with all the equipment we have

 

The Sandi Starfish Scheme

Sandi Starfish wristbands are a valuable tool in supporting emergency services as they help families of young children and vulnerable adults across our busy beaches to keep safe. They are brightly coloured and extremely recognisable by the emergency services and local businesses, they provide a space to write your phone number as an emergency contact.

Each summer, emergency services face the challenge of multiple reports of missing young children and vulnerable adults. This causes huge distress for the families involved as well as the impact it has on the police, RNLI and coastguard. Sandi Starfish flags are flown at all RNLI lifeguard units on lifeguarded beaches in Lincolnshire, with each location (Skegness, Sutton On Sea and Mablethorpe) having free wristbands available to everyone.

Key locations up and down the coast will fly the Sandi flags as a point of safety for children to go to if they get separated from their family.

Please remember the Sandi wristbands are FREE and are available from all coastal police stations, all RNLI lifeguard units and numerous venues across our coastline, such as Skegness Aquarium, Natureland, Magna Vitae sites and other businesses that displays the Sandi Starfish wristband posters. Just look out for the Sandi Starfish sign!

 

Top tips for a safe trip to the beach

Child Safety

• Designate a meeting spot and make sure the whole family knows to go there and wait if you are separated. A Sandi Starfish flag is located on the seafront and is designed to be seen by children from a distance. Show your child the picture of Sandi so they know what to look for.
• Tell your child that if they get separated from you, they should go to the flag where they can wait for you or ideally approach someone in uniform and tell them they are lost.
• Use a Sandi Starfish wristband. Write your phone number on the wristband so you can be contacted if your child is found.
• Keep an up-to-date photo of them on your phone to show officers so they know who they are looking for. Ideally take one on a phone or digital camera when you arrive at the beach to show exactly what they are wearing. It's a good idea to wear bright, eye-catching clothing.
• Ensure you have a charged mobile phone with you.
• Take or have access to plenty of drinking water, sun cream and hats.

Water safety

• Swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Use inflatables with caution. Keep an eye for the orange windsock above the lifeguard units. If you see the message "no inflatables", keep inflatables out of the water. This windsock is only flown when the wind is blowing offshore and is dangerous for inflatables to be used. The wind can take you or your child out to sea, making it difficult to swim back.
• Never mix alcohol and swimming. This is not a good combination and can have severe consequences.
• If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, "float to live" - Lay on your back and look up to the sky with your ears in the water. Calm your breathing down and when you are able to, shout for help.
• Some parts of our beaches have a public space protection order in place throughout the season, prohibiting your from taking dogs on the beach. Please pay attention to the signage around the beach, or check out our guide on dog friendly beaches in Skegness.
• Have a waterproof pouch for your phone or valuables so you're not leaving it on the beach whilst you go for a paddle, as an opportunist might take it.
• finally, whilst we all love to dig holes in the sand and make sandcastles, DO NOT dig very deep holes. Sand collapses do happen and can be extremely dangerous.

Weever Fish in Skegness

Weever fish are small fish, unlike others they have spiked spines along their back which are needle-sharp. They spend most of their time buried in the sand, particularly at low tide when the water is warm. Their spiked spines poke through the sand as a barrier of protection for them. If you stand on them, they sting you with a small amount of poison that can be extremely painful. If you are stung, you might have 1-3 puncture wounds on the base on your foot and it may feel hot and inflamed.

How to treat a fever fish sting:

• Treatment of the sting is fairly simple and it's important to initially find a source of hot water. The water needs to be as hot as you can bear, but still comfortable enough to place your foot into. This has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the poison by breaking down its protein, and helps to reduce pain.
• Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for the toxin, however its effects are usually fairly mild other than being painful. It is recommended to keep any wounds open and let them bleed out (if they are bleeding). The blood loss won't be high and this will help clear your body of some of the toxins.
• The worst of the pain generally happens within the first 30 minutes of a sting. It might be a good idea to take mild painkillers if you are able to, to help manage the pain.
• It also might feel helpful to have a warm bath that evening, as some of the symptoms can persist for a few hours.
• If you're visiting a lifeguarded beach, speak to the lifeguards if you think you have been stung by a weever fish. They have boiling water in their units so can help treat your sting and also monitor you for any more adverse reactions.

 

Domestic Abuse

It's meant to be a break but actually, holidays can be stressful. Alcohol, money, spending more time together... these things can trigger abusive behaviour.

Help and support

Call Lincolnshire Police on 101, or 999 if it's an emergency.

We know not everyone wants to report to the police, but there is help regardless. You can find more information here.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is always open: 0808 2000 247.

"Safe spaces" are available in pharmacies, where you can consider support options away from the prying eyes of your abuser.

What is domestic abuse?

Abuse is not always physical.

Is your relationship a healthy one?

Does your partner:

• Put you down?
• Constantly criticise you?
• Ridicule and mock you?
• Control who you see, where you go, what you do?
• Control your money?
• Check your phone or your social media?
• Act in a jealous and possessive way?
• Pressure for sex?
• Go from charming one minute, to full of rage the next?
• Follow you or turn up unexpectedly to check on you?

Does abuse affect you:

• Do you change your actions and behaviour to avoid setting them off?
• Do you find yourself making excuses when family and friends want to see you, because you know they won't like it?
• Are you anxious around them, feeling like you are walking on eggshells?

Sometimes, when you are in a situation it's hard to acknowledge there is a problem, and you might find yourself making excuses for the abuse or thinking it's your fault. Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it.

For the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service call 01522 502 041, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for more support.

 

Your guide to Lincolnshire coastal safety - working in partnership with the Atlantis Alliance to make the Lincolnshire coast the safest place to live, work and visit.

Introduction

The Lincolnshire coastline has long been a vibrant hub for seasonal tourism, with resorts like Skegness, Ingoldmells and Mablethorpe boasting over 50 miles of breathtaking shoreline. The region's diverse attractions draw visitors from far and wide, particularly during the bustling summer months.

Skegness alone welcomes around 2.3 million visitors each year. For a town with a permanent population of roughly 20,000 people which swells to an astonishing 250,000 in peak season, the surge in demand for services required a well-coordinated multi-agency approach. This ensures that both residents and tourists receive the highest quality support from the law enforcement and local partners.

With over 26,000 caravans spread across 262 sites along the Lincolnshire coast, the dynamic and ever-changing population presents unique challenges. The East Coast Policing Plan introduced new staffing models for Lincolnshire Police frontline officers, complemented by targeted multi-agency summer initiatives aimed at maintaining public safety - whether on beaches, at entertainment venues, or across the road network.

Recent data evaluations have provided valuable insights into seasonal trends in crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, water safety and beyond; helping us identify patterns, locations and affected communities. This enhanced understanding enables us to deploy multi-agency assistance strategically, focusing on areas with the greatest need.

The help visitors make the most of their time in Lincolnshire, this information has been provided as a useful guide to local services and safety measures.

 

Caravan Crime Prevention

Keeping your valuables safe

• Don't leave handbags, car keys or other items of value by open windows, especially when you go to bed at night. Anyone can reach in and remove them.
• Lock your doors and windows when you leave the caravan.
• Don't leave your bikes outside, they will be safer inside your caravan.
• At night when you are going to bed, close your curtains or nets to prevent anyone seeing your valuables

Keeping your caravan safe

• If you're leaving your caravan for a number of days/weeks, remove electronic goods from sight.
• Leave the curtains open, so people can see there is nothing to steal.
• If possible, set a light on timer switches to periodically switch on.
• Fill in your registration pack with details of make/model/serial numbers of valuable items.
• Communicate with neighbours and your office if you are leaving your caravan.
• If you have an alarm, set it every time you leave your holiday home for a period of time.
• Mark your goods with a UV pen or similar.

Skegness Cavaran Safety

• All caravans must be fitted with a working smoke alarm. Test the smoke alarms on arrival, or every week for long-term stays and never remove the batteries.
• If you smoke, use metal ashtrays and never smoke in bed if you are likely to fall asleep.
• Don't block air vents - if any leaking gas builds up you may fall unconscious and be unable to escape. Ensure air vents are clear - if air vents get blocked, it could be fatal.
• Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed.
• When cooking, don't leave any pans unattended.
• Find out the firefighting arrangements on the campsite.
• Don't dry clothes over the stove
• Keep children away from matches or lighters.
• Children should never be left alone in a caravan
• Remove any little and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Gas cylinders should be kept outside the caravan. Gas cylinders should be turned off unless they are designed to run continuously, and you should only change the bottle when they are completely empty.
• If you suspect that there is a gas leak, turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve, open all doors and windows and do not smoke or turn on any electrical switches or appliances until you have been given the all clear.
• Never use fuel-burning devices inside the caravan (e.g. disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns and charcoal grills).

Visit GOV.uk for advice on private renting safety responsibilities or ask your local district council for more information.

You can check out our recommended caravan repair teams here to make sure your caravan is secure and safe whilst you're on holiday.

 

The Atlantis Alliance Lincolnshire

The Atlantis Alliance is a group of agencies working together to ensure that the Lincolnshire coast is a safe place to live, work and visit.

These agencies include Lincolnshire Police, National Coastwatch, His Majesty's Coastguard, the RNLI and local councils.

Over the holiday season, staff from across the alliance will be at Skegness central beach, next to the lifeboat station and the alliance beach hut on the promenade at Queen's Park in Mablethorpe. They will be there to chat with people and provide information on a variety of subjects, such as:

• Caravan crime, along with precautions you can take to keep belongings safe
• Advice on beach and water safety
• Information on where to get support regarding domestic abuse
• As well as simply being there to say hello, for you to look around, ask questions, and take pictures with all the equipment we have

 

The Sandi Starfish Scheme

Sandi Starfish wristbands are a valuable tool in supporting emergency services as they help families of young children and vulnerable adults across our busy beaches to keep safe. They are brightly coloured and extremely recognisable by the emergency services and local businesses, they provide a space to write your phone number as an emergency contact.

Each summer, emergency services face the challenge of multiple reports of missing young children and vulnerable adults. This causes huge distress for the families involved as well as the impact it has on the police, RNLI and coastguard. Sandi Starfish flags are flown at all RNLI lifeguard units on lifeguarded beaches in Lincolnshire, with each location (Skegness, Sutton On Sea and Mablethorpe) having free wristbands available to everyone.

Key locations up and down the coast will fly the Sandi flags as a point of safety for children to go to if they get separated from their family.

Please remember the Sandi wristbands are FREE and are available from all coastal police stations, all RNLI lifeguard units and numerous venues across our coastline, such as Skegness Aquarium, Natureland, Magna Vitae sites and other businesses that displays the Sandi Starfish wristband posters. Just look out for the Sandi Starfish sign!

 

Top tips for a safe trip to the beach

Child Safety

• Designate a meeting spot and make sure the whole family knows to go there and wait if you are separated. A Sandi Starfish flag is located on the seafront and is designed to be seen by children from a distance. Show your child the picture of Sandi so they know what to look for.
• Tell your child that if they get separated from you, they should go to the flag where they can wait for you or ideally approach someone in uniform and tell them they are lost.
• Use a Sandi Starfish wristband. Write your phone number on the wristband so you can be contacted if your child is found.
• Keep an up-to-date photo of them on your phone to show officers so they know who they are looking for. Ideally take one on a phone or digital camera when you arrive at the beach to show exactly what they are wearing. It's a good idea to wear bright, eye-catching clothing.
• Ensure you have a charged mobile phone with you.
• Take or have access to plenty of drinking water, sun cream and hats.

Water safety

• Swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Use inflatables with caution. Keep an eye for the orange windsock above the lifeguard units. If you see the message "no inflatables", keep inflatables out of the water. This windsock is only flown when the wind is blowing offshore and is dangerous for inflatables to be used. The wind can take you or your child out to sea, making it difficult to swim back.
• Never mix alcohol and swimming. This is not a good combination and can have severe consequences.
• If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, "float to live" - Lay on your back and look up to the sky with your ears in the water. Calm your breathing down and when you are able to, shout for help.
• Some parts of our beaches have a public space protection order in place throughout the season, prohibiting your from taking dogs on the beach. Please pay attention to the signage around the beach, or check out our guide on dog friendly beaches in Skegness.
• Have a waterproof pouch for your phone or valuables so you're not leaving it on the beach whilst you go for a paddle, as an opportunist might take it.
• finally, whilst we all love to dig holes in the sand and make sandcastles, DO NOT dig very deep holes. Sand collapses do happen and can be extremely dangerous.

Weever Fish in Skegness

Weever fish are small fish, unlike others they have spiked spines along their back which are needle-sharp. They spend most of their time buried in the sand, particularly at low tide when the water is warm. Their spiked spines poke through the sand as a barrier of protection for them. If you stand on them, they sting you with a small amount of poison that can be extremely painful. If you are stung, you might have 1-3 puncture wounds on the base on your foot and it may feel hot and inflamed.

How to treat a fever fish sting:

• Treatment of the sting is fairly simple and it's important to initially find a source of hot water. The water needs to be as hot as you can bear, but still comfortable enough to place your foot into. This has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the poison by breaking down its protein, and helps to reduce pain.
• Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for the toxin, however its effects are usually fairly mild other than being painful. It is recommended to keep any wounds open and let them bleed out (if they are bleeding). The blood loss won't be high and this will help clear your body of some of the toxins.
• The worst of the pain generally happens within the first 30 minutes of a sting. It might be a good idea to take mild painkillers if you are able to, to help manage the pain.
• It also might feel helpful to have a warm bath that evening, as some of the symptoms can persist for a few hours.
• If you're visiting a lifeguarded beach, speak to the lifeguards if you think you have been stung by a weever fish. They have boiling water in their units so can help treat your sting and also monitor you for any more adverse reactions.

 

Domestic Abuse

It's meant to be a break but actually, holidays can be stressful. Alcohol, money, spending more time together... these things can trigger abusive behaviour.

Help and support

Call Lincolnshire Police on 101, or 999 if it's an emergency.

We know not everyone wants to report to the police, but there is help regardless. You can find more information here.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is always open: 0808 2000 247.

"Safe spaces" are available in pharmacies, where you can consider support options away from the prying eyes of your abuser.

What is domestic abuse?

Abuse is not always physical.

Is your relationship a healthy one?

Does your partner:

• Put you down?
• Constantly criticise you?
• Ridicule and mock you?
• Control who you see, where you go, what you do?
• Control your money?
• Check your phone or your social media?
• Act in a jealous and possessive way?
• Pressure for sex?
• Go from charming one minute, to full of rage the next?
• Follow you or turn up unexpectedly to check on you?

Does abuse affect you:

• Do you change your actions and behaviour to avoid setting them off?
• Do you find yourself making excuses when family and friends want to see you, because you know they won't like it?
• Are you anxious around them, feeling like you are walking on eggshells?

Sometimes, when you are in a situation it's hard to acknowledge there is a problem, and you might find yourself making excuses for the abuse or thinking it's your fault. Domestic abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it.

For the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service call 01522 502 041, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for more support.

 

The Lincolnshire coast is one of the UK’s most vibrant seaside regions, attracting millions of visitors each year. Through the collaborative efforts of the Atlantis Alliance - including Lincolnshire Police, the RNLI, Coastguard, and local councils - communities and holidaymakers alike can enjoy a safe and welcoming environment. From caravan security and beach safety to child protection schemes like Sandi Starfish and vital support for those experiencing domestic abuse, this guide highlights the key measures in place to help everyone live, work, and visit the Lincolnshire coast with confidence and peace of mind.