Raring2go! 24 raring2go.co.uk Swimming is a fun activity, a sport you can enjoy all your life, and most importantly, will keep you safe. A child can get used to water from as young as 6 months old (after they have had all their initial injections,) and you can find plenty of classes that are held locally if you can’t teach them yourself. If your child is not already enrolled in swimming lessons then don’t panic. There are crash summer courses available and plenty of tutors around who can advise you. Top Tips for the Beach • If you are letting your children explore, set a time and agree a meeting place for them to return to if you get separated. • Make rules regarding playing on the beach versus going in the water. Don’t let your child go in the water alone. • Keep an eye out when the tide comes in, especially if your children are playing in rock pools, as they may become stranded. • Watch out for waves, especially if you have small children. Even a small wave can knock a child over. Dumping waves – when they break with great force in shallow water – often occur at low tide. According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), of the 17,000-odd rescues they make each year, most of them involve children and the incidents occur not far out at sea, but on the UK’s busiest beaches. The most common problem is a rip current that can take anyone, even a strong swimmer, out of their depth. ‘Rip currents can occur at any beach with waves – so that’s most of the UK coast,’ says JoJo Mains, RNLI’s beach safety manager. ‘This is why we encourage people to swim between the red and yellow flags at lifeguarded beaches. Lifeguards know their beaches and are experienced in spotting rips and other dangers. They place the flags to identify the safest areas to swim.’ Other rules to follow include checking the tide times, reading safety signs and flags and making sure children – or in fact anyone – never swims alone. Staying safe near water This summer give your child a skill for life by helping them learn to swim 25 Raring2go! Big Butterfly Count 2023 What…. The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) you see. Launched in 2010 and run by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, the Big Butterfly Count is the world’s biggest survey of butterflies. When…. The 2023 Big Butterfly Count runs from Friday 14th July until Sunday 4th August. Why…. Butterflies are a vital part of the ecosystem as both pollinators and as food for other wildlife. However, they are under threat – 80% of butterflies have declined since 1976 – and this is a warning that cannot be ignored. Butterfly declines are a warning for other wildlife losses. Butterflies are key biodiversity indicators for scientists as they react very quickly to changes in their environment. Therefore, if numbers are falling, nature is in trouble. So, tracking numbers of butterflies is crucial in the fight to conserve our natural world. That’s why taking part in this massive citizen science project is of great importance not just for our butterflies but for the wider environment and biodiversity in general. The results of the Big Butterfly Count, along with other butterfly and moth survey work, also helps Butterfly Conservation and other organisations to identify where conservation action is needed most. The data helps us to identify important trends in species that assists us in planning how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife. How…. Everyone can take part in the Big Butterfly Count. All you need to do is spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot outdoors and record the number and type of butterflies and some day-flying moths you see. 80% of butterflies have declined since 1976. “ ” Download the free app for iOS and Android to identify and record the butterflies you spot or visit bigbutterflycount.org for a downloadable butterfly ID chart and upload your results there. 14th Jul – 4th Aug
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