Stay safe by the water this summer
30 June 2009
The UK’s canals and rivers are popular with visitors, with around 300 million visits made to British Waterways’ 2,200 mile network each year. With the current spell of scorching sun and school holidays imminent, British Waterways and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA?) are urging visitors to enjoy the waterways in safety 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.
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.
For more information on water safety, or on places to enjoy by the inland waterways, visit www.waterscape.com or call British Waterways Customer Service Centre on 01923 201120.
Children can visit www.wow4water.net to find out more about Britain’s inland waterways and adults can view and download safety resources from the same site.
RoSPA? provides comprehensive advice on safety around the water and information and education packs can be found on its website http://www.rospa.com/index.htm
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.”
Notes to editors
• British Waterways is the public corporation that cares for a 2,200-mile network of canals and navigable rivers across the country and works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to improve the social, economic and environmental benefits of the inland waterways. For more information visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk
• The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ mission is to save lives and reduce injuries. RoSPA? is a registered charity established more than 90 years ago that aims to campaign for change, influence opinion, contribute to debate, educate and inform – for the good of all.
By providing information, advice, resources and training, RoSPA? is actively involved in the promotion of safety and the prevention of accidents in all areas of life – at work, in the home, on the roads, in schools, at leisure and on (or near) water. For more information visit http://www.rospa.com/index.htm
• WOW (Wild Over Waterways) is a national initiative to enthuse, involve and inspire children and young people about Britain’s inland waterways. As well as encouraging safe and responsible use of their waterways by children and young people, WOW also hopes to influence them to feel responsible for the future of their waterway. WOW is a partnership between The Inland Waterways Association, British Waterways and The Waterways Trust. For more information including educational material for parents and teachers alike, visit www.wow4water.net
• Waterscape.com provides information on all of Britain’s waterways, and guides visitors through the complete waterside experience in an easy to use, fully comprehensive online resource. The site includes a full range of services including:
• How to hire a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage
• Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water
• Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants
• Waterway guides with information on visitor attractions, local history and wildlife
• News and events guides and listings