Water Safety

It is vital that all visitors to the waterways enjoy them safely, whether a seasoned boater or a first time visitor. British Waterways London's water safety education programme informs children and adults about the potential dangers of waterways and how to avoid them.

Water safety features strongly throughout all our education programmes including classroom sessions and canal visits.

Detailed safety activities are available on the WOW website. The following advice will help keep you and your family safe by the water.

• Spot the dangers: Watch out for mooring bollards and ropes, wet or slippery canal banks. In winter do not walk on the ice and never swim in the canal - you don't know what's at the bottom. Take particular care around locks.
• Take safety advice: Watch out for warning signs, listen to what others are telling you.
• Don't go alone: Especially children, so please keep your children under supervision at all times.
• Be SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge.

What to do in an emergency:

• Do not go into the water to help - even good swimmers can get into trouble!
• Keep calm and think before you act.
• Raise the alarm and call for help - dial 999 and explain what has happened and who is in the water.
• If there is lifesaving equipment nearby and you know how to use it, do so.
• Try to reach the person in the water from the bank - you could use a rope, pole, branch from a tree, clothes tied together, but remember: do not put yourself or others in danger.
• Talk to the person in the water and reassure them help is on the way.