Drowning Prevention – Stay safe near water from The Lancashire Water Safety Partnership
When the warm weather hits, please don’t be tempted to cool off by jumping into open water, particularly from height –
- The water is colder than it looks, even on a warm evening or sunny day
- Jumping straight in from height can lead to cold water shock even for those who think themselves strong swimmers
- Currents may be stronger than they look and even hidden
- There are often hidden dangers beneath the surface and water can be polluted
- If you are going into open water, go to a supervised location and do it as safely as possible – check for risks and enter gradually to let your body get used to the temperature
For Anyone in Trouble in the Water:
- Phone – 999
- Float – Tell them not to panic and, if they can’t stand, to float on their back in a starfish shape. When calmer, encourage them towards you.
- Throw – find something that floats or a throw/life line and throw it to them so it is within arms reach
Talk to Teenagers about Water Safety
There is great advice here.
Water Safety on Holiday and at Home
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) urges parents to choose high-visibility, bright, or fluorescent coloured swimwear (e.g., pink, yellow, green, and red) for their children rather than colours such as blue, white and grey, which are more difficult to see underwater as these tend to blend in or disappear in the water. Brightly coloured swimwear makes it even easier to spot your children both in the water and on land. It’s important too to keep your child under constant supervision when playing and swimming in the water.
There is more holiday water safety advice here.
Remember to not leave young children unsupervised in the garden where there is water, such as ponds, paddling pools and hot tubs, and cover them up if possible when they aren’t in use. More information can be found here about this and other situations, as well as Water Safety Activities for children –
World Drowning Prevention Day (Saturday 25 July 2026)
To help raise awareness, landmarks across the whole of Lancashire are being lit blue on the evening of Saturday 25 July. Please look out for those that take part to remind us that ‘anyone can drown, no one should’. In previous years these have included Blackpool Tower, Fleetwood Marine Hall, Lytham Windmill, Chorley Town Hall and Clock Tower, Ormskirk Clock Tower, Skelmersdale Light Cube, Rivington Pike and the Pigeon Tower. We will post further details and confirm the locations nearer the time on our Social Media Platforms. We would love to see your photos of them, so if you spot any (only the buildings though please – try not to include people) you can send the pictures to – preventionsupport@lancsfirerescue.org.uk
You can find lots more really good practical water safety advice for all different situations from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and partner organisations by clicking on this link.
You can find more safety information on the links below:
UA Media