Water safety

Staying safe when swimming

Swimming is an important life skill. Think about teaching your child to swim, or have a look for lessons locally. 

When swimming at home, on holiday or taking part in water activities:

• never leave your child unattended, even if they're wearing armbands, rubber rings or floats
• check for lifeguards and follow the safety rules
• encourage them to swim in safe places, such as public pools and lifeguarded beaches
• avoid swimming in canals, gravel pits and rivers
• check tide times before visiting the beach
• ensure your child wears appropriate well-fitting life jackets if doing watersports

You could choose to enrol on a first aid course. Learning basic first aid can help you feel more confident dealing with any incidents that may happen near water. Older children may also benefit from doing a first aid course too. 

The Royal Lifesaving Society UK provides water safety advice to support you in teaching your child or young person how to enjoy water safely.

Learn to float in water

Learning to float could save your child’s life. This essential life skill will teach them to keep their airways clear of the water and control their breathing if they get into trouble in the water.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provides information on how to float to live if you or your family get into trouble in the water. You can also view their learn to float poster and their safety advice poster.

Staying safe at the beach

Dangers and hazards can be present on any beach, so make sure you are prepared, and pick a beach which is safe for your children. 

Beaches with lifeguards are the safest for your child to swim at. Teach your child to swim between the red and yellow flags, because this part of the beach is watched by lifeguards. Pay attention to any warning signs at the beach, such as submerged rocks or strong currents. It's also important to never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas.

Encourage your child to wear sandals at the beach to stop them cutting their feet on sharp rocks or glass.

On some beaches it is possible to get cut off by the tide. Always check tide times before you go. A beach that was clear yesterday at 5pm might be completely covered by the sea at the same time on the next day.  If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help.

When you get to the beach, speak to your child about a meeting point in case they get lost. If you are on a lifeguarded beach, visit the lifeguard hut and they may be able to give you wristbands to put your contact details on.

If your child goes missing:

• calmly check your surroundings first, ensuring other children remain supervised
• contact the lifeguards or police and keep them informed
• let all searchers know once the child is found

Sun safety around water

Water can wash sunscreen off so it's important to use a water-resistant one if it's likely your child will sweat or have contact with water. Sunscreen should be reapplied straight after being in water, towel drying or sweating.

Children under 6 months old should be kept out of direct strong sunlight. Take extra care to protect babies and children, their skin is more sensitive than adults. Read more about staying safe in the sun.

Preventing slips and falls around water

It is easy to slip and fall on the wet areas around swimming pools, particularly when running.

Not only can children injure themselves by falling on the hard surface, they can also fall into the pool, which presents a serious drowning risk, especially if they hit their head.

To reduce the risk:

• keep walkways clear of toys, furniture and other trip hazards
• use handrails where available
• remind children to walk rather than run near water 
• encourage your child to wear suitable footwear when walking around pool areas

Verrucas and swimming pools

Verrucas are warts which are found on the soles of feet. They are very common and most people will have one at some point in their life. 

The virus which causes verrucas thrives in damp conditions and can be transferred from one person to another. They can be easily spread at swimming pools from walking barefooted around a pool or changing rooms.

Most verrucas will get better without treatment, although they can take up to 2 years to disappear. Treatment is available if they become painful or uncomfortable. Read more about verrucas.