Water safety
Drowning
Always supervise children around water.
On average, one child drowns a month at home in England. Children under the age of 5 are at the most risk.
Young children can drown in as little as 5cm of water, so it is important never to leave your child alone.
Keeping safe around water when at home
Ensure your child's safety during bathtime by visiting Splash Safety tips by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. Their website provides tips for preventing accidents and making bath time a fun and safe experience.
Click here to download the RLSS's checklist
In your garden, store and empty any containers or buckets. Fence off any garden ponds, making sure they are out of reach. Empty any paddling pools when not in use. Introducing your child to water early on is essential, as it helps build their confidence and vital life skills. However, make sure that you are practising water safety.
Keeping safe around water when out
Walks are a great way to keep you and your toddler active, but it is equally important to remain vigilant at all times as, you may walk past ponds, canals and rivers. It is vital to ensure you are constantly supervising your child.
Here is a video from the Canal & River Trust, showing the importance of water safety.
For more information from the Canal & River Trust, click here.