British beaches: Firefighters warn against deep sand holes

A six-foot-deep hole on a beach in the United Kingdom has prompted an important appeal from local services. "Playing in the sand may seem like harmless fun, but it can pose a serious danger if not done safely," wrote the firefighters from Wadebridge Community on Facebook.

Children on a beach in British Cornwall dug a six-foot-deep hole. "Playing in the sand may seem like harmless fun, but it can pose a serious danger if not done safely," the firefighters noted in a post on the Wadebridge Community Fire Station's Facebook profile.

"Thankfully, the sand didn't dry out, and the walls stayed firm enough for long enough to prevent a collapse followed by crushing and/or suffocation of the little people," they pointed out.

In their post, firefighters remind people of the rules when playing in the sand. Most importantly, holes and tunnels should be no deeper than waist height, and they must be filled in before leaving the beach.