Water Safety

As the weather improves and the school holidays begin and we all go outside more, on a hot sunny day you may be tempted to go for a swim in open water, but you are putting yourself at risk of drowning by swimming in rivers, lakes, canals or reservoirs.

The water may look safe but it can be dangerous even for a strong swimmer, the dangers of water include:

• very cold temperatures
• hidden currents
• it can be deep
• it is difficult to estimate depth
• there may be hidden rubbish like shopping trolleys or glass
• it can be difficult to get out due to steep or slippery banks
• there are no lifeguards
• water pollution can make you ill.

Further information and resources about keeping yourself safe are available through:

Royal Society for the Protection of Accidents [external link]

Royal Life Saving Society UK [external link]

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLS) [external link]