Water Safety Code
5 ways to make sure your child is safe near water.
1. Spot the dangers.
. Ensure that whenever children are near water, they always take extra care.
. Ensure children never fool around or run beside water - they might trip and fall in.
. Advise children to take care on the riverbank - it can be slippery or crumble.
. Encourage children to keep away from the edge of canals - the water is often very deep.
. Beware of locks and weirs - the water flows very quickly.
2. Take safety advice.
. Choose a swimming pool or beach where there are lifeguards on duty.
. Always follow the advice of lifeguards at the seaside - find out when and where it is safe to swim.
. Look for signs or flags telling you where it is safe to swim.
. Never swim where a sign or flag says not to.
3. Don't go alone.
. Always make sure you know where your children are going, who they are with and when they will be back.
. Never let children go swimming, fishing or boating on their own.
. If your child goes alone, there will be nobody to help if they get in trouble in the water.
. Ensure they go with a friend. Even if they can't help out, they can go and get help.
4. Learn how to help.
. If you see someone in trouble in the water, here's how you can help.
. Keep calm and think before you act.
. Try to get help - shout "help, help" as loud as you can.
. Reach out with a stick, a pole, a towel or clothing to pull the person to the edge of the water - lie down and hold onto something to make sure you don't get pulled in.
. If you can't reach the person and no-one comes when you shout for help, find the nearest telephone and ring 999 or 112.
. Never jump into the water yourself.
5. Get involved with Lifesavers