Shotguns are designed for killing and accidents can and do happen, fortunately through education and discipline the sport of shooting has one of the lowest recorded number of accidents of any sport. It has been said that safety is mainly commonsense and a little education, make sure you are 100% aware of safety everytime you pick up your gun, the welfare of you, your family and your friends could be at stake. Most accidents are caused by carelessness or ignorance, the onus to handle and use a weapon safely lies squarely on the shoulders of the shooter. "Basic" safety rules are outlined below, others may apply to different forms of shooting and different circumstances, learn the safety rules relating to your chosen branch of the sport.
Many years ago the poem below was written to illustrate the need to be cautious out in the field and still holds true today.
A Fathers Advice
If a sportsman true you’d be
Listen carefully to me. . .
Never, never let your gun
Pointed be at anyone.
That it may unloaded be
Matters not the least to me.
When a hedge or fence you cross
Though of time it cause a loss
From your gun the cartridge take
For the greater safety’s sake.
If twixt you and neighbouring gun
Bird shall fly or beast may run
Let this maxim ere be thine
“Follow not across the line.”
Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen.
Calm and steady always be
“Never shoot where you can’t see.”
You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think this:
“All the pheasants ever bred
Won’t repay for one man dead.”
(Mark Beaufoy - 1902)
1) ALWAYS check that a gun is unloaded as soon as it is handed to you, don't ASSUME it is and don't be complacent because someone tells you it is, check for yourself. Check your gun is unloaded before putting it in your gunslip or cabinet.
Dont assume!! Check that the gun is unloaded.
2) NEVER!! point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be aware of where the muzzles of your gun are pointing at all times, Make sure that you develop this awareness to the utmost degree. Don't hesitate to point out to another shooter that his or her barrels are pointing at you should this happen, even if they take offence. The picture below was "staged" to show the danger of following a low bird through the line of guns when on a formal shoot.
Danger!! If this were a real scenario the shooter on the left could be seriously injured or worse.
3) ALWAYS carry a loaded gun in a safe manner with the barrels pointed harmlessly up into the air or down to the ground. DO NOT!! carry the gun across the crook of your arm or over your shoulder with the trigger guard pointed downwards or "at trail" these positions will result in the barrels being in dangerous positions.
Danger!! The wrong way
Over the shoulder 
crook of the arm 
at trail
Safe! The right way
Pointing
into the air or down to the floor 
4) NEVER!! carry a loaded gun with your finger on the trigger, even when the safety catch is on. The safety catch is a mechanical device which can fail, if your gun has one however, it should always be on until just before you take your shot.
5) NEVER!! load a gun indoors, there is NO reason whatsoever to load live ammunition indoors in a sporting shotgun.
6) ALWAYS check the barrels are not obstructed by foreign matter before loading your gun, especially in muddy or snowy conditions, a quick glance is all it takes. Obstructions can cause the pressure in the barrels to build up to a level where they may "blow up" which could cause serious injury.
Always!! Check that the gun is not obstructed before loading
7) ALWAYS close a loaded gun when out in the field by lifting the butt up to the barrels with the muzzles pointing to the floor. Please note this rule DOES NOT!! apply to clay shooting where you may be stood on concrete "hard standing" Remember always be aware of where the barrels are pointing.
Closing the gun in the field 
Lift the butt to the barrels when on soft ground .......................... Lift the barrels to the butt when on hard standing
8) NEVER!! shoot at something you cannot see clearly, eg. as the quarry flies through a hedge or behind a tree especially if the hedge is dense, there may be people or livestock within your line of shot. ALWAYS be aware of where your shot is going.
The wrong way!! and the Right and Safe way!! 
Never!! shoot into cover where you cannot see properly .. Let the quarry get clear of the trees and well up in the air
9) NEVER!! shoot when you are off balance, you may stumble with dire consequences. You should NEVER!! attach your dog by its lead to your person when taking a shot the dog may pull you off balance.
10) ALWAYS unload your gun before trying to negotiate an obstacle such as a fence or a dyke. If you are in company hold your friends unloaded gun until he or she crosses the obstacle then pass your unloaded gun butt first to them.
Crossing in Safety !! 
The first shooter to cross the fence unloads his gun and gives it to his companion he then climbs over the fence and his companion passes the guns over butt first before negotiating the fence himself
11) NEVER!! carry a loaded gun in a vehicle when unaccompanied. In certain circumstances eg when you are the passenger this may be permissable but the barrel or barrels should be pointed out of the vehicles window and up into the air.
Danger !! If this gun went off the consequences could be fatal
12) ALWAYS make sure that you are using the correct cartridges for your gun with regard to length and pressures. AVOID carrying 12 bore and 20 bore cartridges together if you have both types, a 20 bore cartridge fits snugly into the barrel of a 12 bore and still permit a 12 bore cartridge to be loaded on top, a fatal accident could occur.
13) NEVER!! leave a loaded gun unattended while you check decoys or fetch your flask etc ALWAYS unload it.
14) NEVER!! prop a loaded gun against a vehicle, fence or any other surface, it may get knocked over and go off.
Danger !! Never !! Prop your gun against anything unsafe
The above are the basics of shotgun safety. Some may seem silly but all are included for a purpose, take rule 13. An incident happened where a young boy came across a loaded, unattended gun in a hide. The shooter had not heard him approach and turned round to find himself facing the barrels as the boy said "stick 'em up!" Luckily the shooter was able to persuade the boy to put the gun down and was unhurt but was very frightened by the experience. If you learn the above rules you cannot go far wrong and should become a reasonably safe gun handler.
Please note all the above photographs were "stage managed" to illustrate the various safety aspects of shotgun use and the weapons were unloaded at the time. Thanks go to Dek and Mick for helping with the composition of the photographs.
RISKS ON THE FORESHORE
Please note on any visit to the foreshore there are risks involved. The following should help you to identify and avoid those possibilities.
Deep water with high tides and fast currents which may lead to possible drowning and hidden creeks.
The river Humber has a strong tide which may reach up to 13 knots and could possibly cut off your retreat. Always be aware of high tide times and be prepared to leave the foreshore early or in an emergency via the land behind the floodbank. There are some creeks present on the foreshore which are almost hidden from view. Be careful when going out or coming off the foreshore in the dark. Make sure you are aware of where the creeks are and their depth. Make sure you don't get cut off from the land by the rising tide.
Debris which may cause personal injury due to slips or falls.
Always take care when on the foreshore, it is littered with debris and slippery mud which may cause you to stumble or trip.
Discarded Hypodermic needles and other medical debris washed up by the tide.
Please be careful when building hides using materials gathered on the foreshore. Hypodermic needles are often washed up among the debris.
Gas bottles and other flammable materials left by the tide.
There are often discarded gas bottles, aerosol cans and other containers which may contain flammable materials washed up onto the foreshore. Take care that these are not damaged or punctured by you, be aware that aerosol cans can explode if punctured by your shot.
Possibility of injury or fatality due to the use of shotguns.
The obvious danger to anyone using shotguns. Be aware where others are at all times and ensure that you know where your shot is going. Check your barrels for blockage from mud, snow or other debris.
Possibility of attack by bulls or dogs on the foreshore and approach paths.
Dogs are common on the foreshore and bulls are often grazed on the area. Please keep an eye out for any sign of bulls or dogs which may be aggressive.
Soft mud which may cause suffocation and or drowning should you become trapped.
The mud is extremely soft in some places, use a walking staff or other means of gauging the depth and consistency of the mud before venturing onto it to retrieve any birds.
Hypothermia due to the weather conditions during the season.
Due to the nature of the sport and the time of year it is carried out, extreme cold may cause Hypothermia. Ensure that you are adequately protected from the cold and rain whilst out on the foreshore.
Obstacles such as stiles, planking bridges or gates.
Be careful when negotiating stiles or gates make sure your shotgun is unloaded and you have stable footing. Watch for mud or ice particularly on stiles or planking bridges across creeks
Sharp reeds / grass which may cause cuts and ultimately disease.
As with any area where reeds and coarse grasses are to be found the presence of vermin such as rats is always a possibilty. Never try to pull up reeds or grasses to use as hide material without gloves on. There have been documented cases where people have died from diseases such as Leptospirosis after cutting their hands on grasses and reeds where rats have been. Leptospirosis often is referred to as swineherd's disease, swamp fever, or mud fever. The infection causes an illness that often leads to kidney and liver dysfunction. Mainly an occupational disease, it has increasingly been recognized as a disease of recreation, the severest form of the disease being Weils Disease. If you get a cut always treat it as soon as possible.