Not long ago someone wrote to you, fearful of the risks from swimming in the Cove, Portland. Now another correspondent worries about the possibility of falling onto the beach from the promenade near the same Cove [Letters 7 August] .

I know that we live in a risk-averse age, and that people feel that somebody else should always protect us from possible dangers, but should we not ourselves take more responsibility for our own safety and for that of anyone in our care?

We cannot always expect others such as local authorities to protect us from all risk. The moment one steps outside the door there are risks, and most people take sensible precautions against them. That surely is the best way, without always relying on others to do it for us.

Richard Samways

Albert Terrace

Portland