With the summer holidays approaching, many children will spend more time around water, whether at beaches, rivers, lakes, canals, swimming pools, paddling pools, or on family days out. Sadly, accidental drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in children across the UK, with many incidents occurring in open water.

By educating both children and parents, we can help families understand:

🌊 The dangers of open water, including cold water shock, hidden currents, and unseen hazards.

🌊 The importance of active adult supervision around all water environments, including paddling pools and garden water features.

🌊 How to stay safe when visiting beaches, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and canals.

🌊 What to do if you get into difficulty in the water through Personal Survival techniques:
• Stay calm.
• Float on your back.
• Control your breathing.
• Call for help.
• Once recovered, swim to safety if possible.

🌊 What to do if you see someone else in trouble:
• Never enter the water to attempt a rescue.
• Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard at the coast or Fire and Rescue Service inland.
• Encourage the casualty to float.
• Throw something that floats and reach from a safe position if possible.

🌊 Important water safety facts and awareness that could help save lives.

Please see the 3 separate infographics below about 'float to live', 'beach safety' and the 'water code' and discuss them with your children to help everyone enjoy the water safely.