Water Safety Tips for Parents
The Canal & River Trust have produced some information on water safety for parents based on their SAFE message – Stay Away From the Edge, with a focus on getting children to “Hold hands and take two steps back” when by the water side. They have a video you can watch with your children featuring Maddie Moate from CBeebies: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/water-safety/toddler-water-safety
Other tips
- Always hold your child’s hand when by the water
- Make sure the brake is on the pram or pushchair when stationary
- Make sure to look out for other people on busy towpaths before stepping back
What to do if a child falls into the water
- There may be other people around, so shout for help as loudly as you can.
- If you have other children with you, make sure they are safe.
- Dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Explain your location clearly – use road names, bridge numbers, what3words and describe any landmarks.
- Lie down on the ground and try to reach them in the water. Use a tree branch, stick or an item of clothing to reach out to them. Don’t get in the water yourself. If they have fallen in, it’s likely that they won’t be too far away from the edge.
- If you can, haul them out of the water. Do this by lying down on the ground and pulling them out by grabbing their clothes. Don’t pull them out from a standing position as you are more likely to fall in the water yourself.
- If you can’t get them out, lie on the ground and hold on to them until help arrives.
Water Safety Poem:
The waterside is fun to go,
But there are things you need to know.
Let’s stay safe and not be silly,
The water here is very chilly.
Find your grown-up, hold their hand,
Two steps back is where you stand.
Look out for bugs and ducks that quack,
But always do it two steps back.
You can visit their website here: Water safety tips for parents | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)