The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has issued a specific warning to all parents today after becoming aware of a photo which depicted a child playing in the sea during 70 mph winds.
It has been established that onlookers were left stunned when a family on Brighton's shingle beach allowed their small child to play in the water during this week's treacherous weather.
According to a witness, the conduct of the parents left many flabbergasted, saying: "I thought the parents would rush in, but then I noticed they were sort of taking photos."
Despite being advised by onlookers to bring an end to their child's play, it appears the parents were oblivious to the dangers, with the witness continuing: "People were waving at them as if to say, 'Get him out of the sea'".
Reflecting on the family's controversial afternoon activity, the onlooker surmised: "I think the parents were more naive or uninformed about the dangers of the sea than anything else."
With winds damaging buildings, uprooting trees and bringing traffic to a standstill, officials have reminded families of the dangers associated with ignoring national warnings.
Commenting specifically on this week's case on Brighton beach, a spokesperson for the RNLI told The Mirror: "It is very foolish to be anywhere near the surf line as an adult, let alone letting a small child."
Further to this, a spokesman for Brighton and Hove city council said: "The pictures really do speak for themselves and the adults are obviously oblivious to the dangers and consequences of the child being washed into the sea."
Reinforcing the RNLI's words of warning, he continued: "Do not allow children to play 'chicken' with the surf washing up the beach - we see this regularly on big winter surf days and this is precisely how people become washed out to sea."
Members of the public have been advised to exercise extreme caution and vigilance during the current weather.
