Making Waves Safely: Your Family Guide to Water Safety This Summer

Date: 2nd Jun 2026 @ 12:30pm

Making Waves Safely: Your Family Guide to Water Safety This Summer

As the weather warms up, there is nothing better than spending quality time outdoors. Many of us will be heading to the coast, local rivers, lakes, or canals to cool off and have fun. While these spots make for incredible family days out, open water can be unpredictable and dangerous.

A fun day out can change in an instant, but a few simple steps can ensure your family stays safe this summer.

5 Essential Steps to Stay Water Safe

Before you pack the sunscreen and towels, make sure everyone in your family knows these five fundamental rules:

• Know the risks: Conditions in open water can change in a flash. Strong currents, sudden drops, and underwater hazards mean it is much easier to get into difficulty than you might think.

• Supervise without distractions: Always keep a close eye on children and young people around water—even if they know how to swim. * Look before you leap: Avoid jumping into unknown water. Hidden objects beneath the surface can cause serious injury, and the sudden drop in temperature can trigger Cold Water Shock, making it difficult to breathe or swim.

• Master the "Float to Live" technique: If anyone gets into trouble, fighting the water can exhaust them. Teach children to follow these steps:

  1. Tilt your head back.

  2. Keep your ears submerged.

  3. Relax and gently move your hands and feet to stay afloat.

  4. Focus on controlling your breathing.

• Know who to call: In a water emergency, time is everything. Dial 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.

💡 The Power of a Conversation

Talking to your children about water safety before you arrive at your destination can make a vital difference. By making safety a normal part of your pre-trip routine, you empower them to make smart choices.

Free Resources & Expert Advice

Whether you are a parent, carer, or working in an education setting, you don't have to figure this out alone. The RNLI and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service provide fantastic, free resources to help you talk about water safety:

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

• General Water Safety Advice & Guidance – Essential tips for all types of coastal and inland water activities.

• Float to Live Advice – Detailed guides and videos on how to master this life-saving skill.

• Education & Teaching Resources – Fun, engaging lessons and activities designed specifically for children and young people.

Local Emergency Services

• Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Water Safety – Local safety advice, inland water tips, and community campaigns.

Share the Message, Save a Life

We encourage all schools, community groups, and parents to use these free tools to spark a conversation about water safety. Please share this blog post and the resources above with your family networks, group chats, and social media pages.

Raising awareness costs nothing, but it helps keep everyone safe—and it could save a life. Have a wonderful, safe summer!