British Waterways cares for Britain's historic canals and rivers

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boats moored in london docklands

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 has a programme of water safety education, which informs children and adults about the potential dangers of waterways and how to avoid them.

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

We support and part fund the Safer Waterways for London programme which is run in partnership with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and Lea Rivers Trust. Safer Waterways for London provides the only dedicated Water Safety Officer in London, who delivers water safety training to thousands of school children and adults living near rivers, canals, reservoirs and docks. Through working closely with schools, community groups and voluntary organisations the water safety officer encourages a wide diversity of people to enjoy their local waterway safely.

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.