Lifeguard Supervision Resumes

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service will resume supervision at three beaches in the province today, Aug. 31, until end of day Thursday, Sept. 2.

Supervision will resume at Rainbow Haven Beach in Halifax Regional Municipality, Melmerby Beach in Pictou County and Mira Gut in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The hours of supervision will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"With unseasonably high temperatures across the province, we want to ensure the safety of beach-goers in Nova Scotia," said Paul D'eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. "These are three of the most popular beaches and we anticipate a number of visitors over the next few days."

Nova Scotians are also reminded that there is an increase of surf activity at a number of beaches across the province and are reminded to swim between the red and yellow flags that mark the supervised portion of the beach.

If choosing to swim at an unsupervised beach, Nova Scotians are encouraged to use extra care and follow these tips:

• don't overestimate your ability and stay within your depth
• parents should keep their children within arm's reach on the beach and in the water
• do not consume alcohol on beaches
• swim with a partner in case you run into trouble

Nova Scotians are also reminded that Aylesford Lake Beach in Kings County, Lake Milo Boat Club in Yarmouth County and Lawrencetown Beach in the Halifax Regional Municipality will remain supervised until Monday, Sept. 6. Supervision at Lawrencetown Beach will reopen the weekends of Sept. 11 and 12, and Sept. 18 and 19.

The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service is a joint project of the Department of Health Promotion and Protection and the Lifesaving Society, Nova Scotia Branch.