RNLI urge people living near the coast to take extra care this weekend
Rain ,snow, ice, and strong winds are forecast from the east, which can cause big waves
The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for snow and ice this weekend and is predicting easterly winds reaching gale 8 on Sunday (February 7), which will bring large waves.
The RNLI are urging people to be extra safe this weekend if they live near the coast and where they do their daily exercise.
Matt Mcnally, from Cleethorpes RNLI said:
"Big waves can look really spectacular, it can be very tempting, when there's big waves caused by high winds, to go to the coast and film then or take photos to share with friends or put on social media, but it's important to remember that big waves like that are dangerous.
"Even if you're on the prom and in a place that you think is going to be safe, they can easily pull you back in to the sea. And also the waves are not just water, there's often sand, pebbles and even quite sizeable rocks in there that can cause damage to people, cars and property.
"Lot's of people are using the coast for their daily exercise, and it's great way to get out of the house, but in weather conditions like we are expecting, it's important to think even more than usual about staying safe. It can bring high waves, poor visibility a risk of slipping on paths."
Nick Ayers, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead, says:
"We urge anyone going out to think twice about the dangers around our coastline. Sadly, around 150 people accidentally lose their lives around UK and Irish waters each year and over half of these people didn’t plan on ever entering the water. Slips, trips and falls can be a major factor in these kinds of incidents, especially with the risk of cold water shock for anybody finding themselves in the water unexpectedly."
Rob Priestley, HM Coastguard Duty Controller, says:
"If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast and be in a position to take your exercise there in line with local COVID-19 restrictions, we’d urge everyone to take extra care this weekend. Dress up warmly, take a fully charged mobile phone and stay well back from cliffs and strong waves which can be unpredictable and may well include rocks and debris. No matter how dramatic the picture, no selfie is worth risking your life for".