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Summer Water Safety: Following the dreadful news last week that small children drowned fairly close to us last winter by playing on a pond, and with the summer holiday and more hot weather looming, it is a great time to revise water safety for all children. Here are some great videos that can help teach young children about water safety:
The Royal Life Saving Society UK – RLSS UK has a range of videos to help children learn about water safety. The Water Safety Code is the basis of all water safety education, with its following key rules:
- Stop and think: take time to assess your surroundings. Look for dangers and always research local signs and advice
- Stay together: when around water always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue.
- In an emergency: – Call 999: Ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. Don’t enter the water to rescue
- If you fall in or become tired – stay calm, float on your back, and call for help
- Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in
For more water safety advice and details on the water safety code visit: www.rlss.org.uk/the-water-safety-code.
The Canal and Rivers Trust has a helpful website hosting:
- Take the Waterside Safety Challenge
- Order a free water safety booklet full of games and activities to teach children the basics of water safety.
- Download Water Safety Activity Sheets for a pack of activities suitable for individual and group work.
Created by the Royal Lifeboat Institution: Is this Safe or Unsafe is aimed at 3 – 7 year-olds.
For older primary children they have the Water Safety Passport 2, aimed at 7 – 11 year-olds.
Twinkl has a water safety tips video – another set of simple rules.
A fun game to help test children’s knowledge of water safety: