Keeping children safe near water
Please share with anyone interacting with families…
It is wonderful to be outdoors, having fun in water, in a pool and on the beach – but it’s important to be aware of the risk that water poses to children and babies, including older children…
The sea and pools
Children should never go near water alone. They need adults to be alert to cold water and the sea’s unpredictable waves and rip currents. Especially as, this summer (2020), the RNLI say that there will be fewer lifeguard patrols will be on hand to ensure safety in the water. In particular, they advise that:
- when near water, children should be watched by adults at all times
- inflatables should NOT be used
- children should float on their backs if they are struggling in the water
- families should alert a lifeguard if nearby and leave difficult rescues to the lifesavers (call 999 and ask for the Coastguard).
For more information, go to: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety and https://www.rospa.com/Leisure-Safety/Water/Advice/Children-Young-People/
Ponds, slurry pits and standing water
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates that garden ponds are involved in more than half of all toddler drownings. For families with children, they recommend that ponds are:
- covered by a strong metal grille (NOT chicken wire)
- surrounded by a fence at least 1.1m high, or
- filled in, particularly when children are young.
For more information, go to: https://www.rospa.com/Leisure-Safety/Water/Advice/Pond-Garden-Water/