Water safety

It is important to be aware of the dangers of being around water.

Of all drowning cases in the UK each year, around half of these were during activities such as running, walking, cycling or fishing near the water.

Water in the UK remains cold even on very warm days and if you enter water it could lead to cold water shock.

What to do if you find yourself in water

If you find someone in the water

never enter the water to try to save someone, who will save you?
call 999 or shout for help
get information about where you are – use landmarks, lock numbers or describe what you can see
encourage the person to float or swim on their back
throw something that floats to anyone who has fallen in. If you want to help get them out of the water, lie with your body on the path and reach in with a scarf or branch

Activities near water

if you are running or walking near water it is always better to do it in a group, not on your own
be aware of any warning signs
keep clear of edges – river banks may be unstable and give way
wear appropriate footwear and clothing
take a fully charged phone with you and tell someone where you are going
look out for hazards on the path
stick to proper paths or routes
avoid running or walking near water after dark

Advice for the beach

it’s safer to use a life guarded beach during patrolled hours. You can find your nearest lifeguarded beach on the RNLI website
always supervise your children near water
make sure your children know where to go if they get lost and have a meeting point
check the tides before you go
beware of rip tides and currents
look for local signs and flags on display and obey them
never enter the water after drinking alcohol

On a night out