A new summer campaign from Jersey's emergency and rescue services hopes to keep us all safe at the seaside.

They're putting out advice as a group with the hope that this will reduce the amount of preventable callouts to crews, in what is typically a busy season for the services. 

The States of Jersey Police, Honorary Police, Jersey Fire & Rescue Service, States of Jersey Ambulance Service, Jersey Coastguard, RNLI Jersey and Building a Safer Community have all been involved in creating the guidance. 

J                                       Jersey Community Beach Safety Initiative guidance

It's pushing for islanders to follow advice surrounding BBQs.

Safety instructions include to always have a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergencies and to carefully dispose of ashes. 

There is also advice surrounding littering, anti-social behaviour and how to protect yourself and vulnerable members of your group (such as children and pets) from the sun. 

Emergency services coming together for the Jersey Community Beach Safety Initiative

Here's what our emergency service workers want islanders to take on board:

Sergeant Kate Young

Sergeant Kate Young from the States of Jersey Police tells us why the emergency services have come together this summer: 

"We recognise that in the summer months, the beaches and location cause an increase in demand in all of our services. 

"So this education programme is to raise awareness of that and if islanders follow our simple pointers, we can reduce some of that demand on our services."

Mark Bailey-Walker, Station Commander at Jersey Fire and Rescue (left) and other members of the fire service

Mark Bailey-Walker, Station Commander at Jersey Fire and Rescue, says his main concern is disposable BBQs:

"When they've been used on the sand and removed, you can't see that the sand underneath is hundreds of degrees, so you have a chance of people walking on that sand, including young children and pets. 

"The other side of it is people throw them in the bins straight after they've been used, not letting them cool down sufficiently enough that they can be disposed of safely. So this can go from a BBQ to a bin fire, then potentially a property fire and effecting the environment."

Jason Hamon from Jersey Ambulance Service

Jason Hamon, Head of Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) and Operational Support at Jersey Ambulance Service, wants islanders to stay safe in the sun: 

"Our advice would be for those going on the beach is to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, put on plenty of sunscreen, hats. 

"We usually deal with people hitting the beach not usually prepared, getting sunburnt, dehydrated, then getting all the issues in the evening especially when alcohol is involved. 

"We get a lot of collapses, faints, a lot of very red people - lobsters! 

"We're trying to avoid that - it's all about being sensible when you're down the beach."

Coastguard officer Ed Fildes

Ed Fildes, Coastguard and VTS Officer at Jersey Coastguard, has this simple advice for those that find themselves in distress:

"Check the tides before you go, have a plan, tell someone the plan and have a means of communication. 

"If you or anyone else gets in trouble - call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."