Water Safety

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Swimming in Local Basins

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Safety Message for Families – Swimming in Local Basins

With warmer weather, there has been an increase in children and young people entering local docks, canals and basins across Tower Hamlets, particularly after school. This can be extremely dangerous. Even on hot days, water temperatures remain very low and can cause cold water shock, leading to involuntary gasping, breathing difficulties and loss of control in the water. There are also hidden hazards such as strong currents, sudden drops, submerged objects and slippery edges, making it difficult to get out safely.

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Key risks:

While swimming in local basins, rivers and docks may appear safe in warm weather, it poses significant risks to children and young people:

  • Cold water shock : even in warmer months, water temperatures can be dangerously low. Sudden immersion can cause involuntary gasping, breathing difficulties and loss of control in the water. Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect breathing and movement, so the risk is significant for most of the year.
  • Difficulty getting out: many basins have steep or slippery edges, making it hard to exit the water safely.
  • Rapid exhaustion: cold water can quickly reduce strength and swimming ability.
  • Strong currents and hidden hazards: basins and waterways can have strong undercurrents, sudden drops, submerged objects and poor visibility.
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Key message for families:

  • Children and young people should not swim in open water such as basins, rivers or docks.
  • Families should encourage the use of supervised, designated swimming facilities instead.
  • Parents and carers should speak with their children about the risks and reinforce safe behaviours.
  • Unsupervised swimming in open water has led to serious incidents both nationally and locally.
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Advice for parents and carers

With the warmer weather, we are seeing an increase in children and young people entering local docks, canals and basins across Tower Hamlets after school. This can be extremely dangerous. Even on hot days, water temperatures remain very low and can cause cold water shock, leading to involuntary gasping, breathing difficulties and loss of control in the water. There are also hidden hazards such as strong currents, sudden drops, submerged objects and slippery edges, making it difficult to get out safely.

We are asking all parents and carers to speak to their children about these risks, to ensure they do not enter open water, and to use supervised swimming facilities only.

You can find more information about staying safe around water from the Royal Life Saving Society

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Text / SMS reminder for families

Schools and settings may wish to share the following short reminder with families via text or messaging services:

Warm weather reminder: please do NOT allow children to swim in local docks, canals or basins. Cold water shock can be life-threatening, even in summer. Please remind your child to stay safe and use supervised swimming facilities only.

Contact Barnardo’s:

echo-th@barnardos.org.uk

Contact Compass:

020 3954 0091 compass.towerhamletsyphws@nhs.net Eastside Youth & Community Centre
First Floor
62 Parnell Rd
Bow
London
E3 2RS

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