Top tips for a safe and splashy summer!

 

·         Children need to be supervised around water. They might understand instructions but are likely to forget if they are having fun or are excited.

·         It’s safest to empty a paddling pool after use and securely cover water tanks and drains. On beaches, check when the tide will be high and make sure that you won’t be cut off by the rising tide.

·         Inflatable dinghies or lilos are a well-known hazard – it’s easy for them to be blown out to sea.

·         Teach children how to swim, but keep in mind that lessons don’t make your child ‘drown-proof.’ A recent straw poll of 90 Year 6 children in a local school showed that 10% were unable to swim.

·         Teach children water safety habits. Children should not run, push others under water, jump on others, dive or jump in shallow water or swim during lightning storms or other bad weather.

 

Further information:

·         Royal Life Saving Society:

o   www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety

·         Child Accident Prevention Trust:

o   www.capt.org.uk/safety-advice/keeping-your-child-safe-drowning

·         Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents:

o   www.rospa.com/leisure-safety/water/advice/childrenyoung-people/

·         Water safety poster for public settings:

o   www.watersafetykids.co.uk/pdfs/Water-Safety-Poster-A4.pdf

 

Downloadable activities for children:

·         RNLI:

o  http://rnli.org/safetyandeducation/teachersandyouthleaders/resources/downloadresources/Pages/respect-the-water.aspx

·         Canal and Rivers Trust:

o   https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/water-safety