Stay safe by the water this summer

Britain’s canals and rivers are used by a wide selection of people, including walkers, cyclists, boaters, anglers, families on days out and those who want to enjoy the sunshine in a pleasant setting. Although the water may look tempting, any open body of water can pose a hazard, particularly to unsupervised children or anyone under the influence of alcohol. British Waterways is reminding visitors to the waterways this summer to stay SAFE by remembering to Stay Away From the Edge when near the water.

Canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks may look inviting on a hot, sunny day, but everyone should resist the temptation to take a dip. Many canals are relatively shallow and anyone jumping or diving into them runs a risk of serious injury from hidden objects under the water. The water is frequently colder than expected and can bring on cramps to even the strongest swimmers, while currents created by passing boats and water movements around locks and weirs pose further dangers. Contact with canal or river water can bring about stomach illnesses or Weil’s Disease.

Fantastic free family day out

There are many other activities that visitors can enjoy such as canoeing, boating, local attractions and nature walks that offer fun in the sun. Many local councils also offer a range of services such as free swimming for teenagers and children at pools and lidos during the summer.

Peter Wade, British Waterways’ safety advisor, said: "The canals are wonderful places to come and enjoy the British summer. Half the UK population lives with five miles of a waterway and they’re a fantastic free day out for all the family. We are committed to enabling everyone to enjoy the inland waterways to the full – safely. If anyone wants to go swimming we would suggest people choose somewhere suitable, such as a swimming pool or lido. British Waterways urges adults to make sure children are never unsupervised close to water, and we encourage people to stay away from the edge."

Peter Cornall, RoSPA head of leisure safety, said: "We traditionally see the greatest number of swimming drownings over the summer months. Already this year, more than ten swimmers have drowned since May.

"A large number of drownings could be avoided if people choose to swim in a supervised location - many local authorities now offer free swimming sessions for teenagers for example.

"If more people choose a suitable place to swim and follow local safety advice, hopefully we will not see an increase on the already high number of swimming drownings this year."