Winter Water Safety Tips for Parents: Drowning Prevention

As winter sets in, frozen lakes, canals and ponds can appear tempting for children and adults alike. However, these icy surfaces pose serious dangers, making water safety during colder months more critical than ever. Regular swimming lessons, especially for young children, are the number one method to prevent drowning and build water confidence that lasts a lifetime.

Why Cold Water Safety Matters

When someone falls into icy water, their body undergoes an immediate cold shock response. This can cause:

Gasping for air and struggling to breathe.
Difficulty thinking clearly, leading to panic.
Cardiac arrest in extreme cases due to rapid cooling of the body.

To prevent these risks, it’s vital to educate yourself and your children about winter water safety. Remember, starting swimming lessons early not only builds water confidence but also teaches vital survival skills.

Winter Water Safety Tips for Kids

Hey little sharks! Staying safe around water is important all year round, even in winter when you might not even be thinking about going into the water! (Give your child the prompts in bold and ask them to tell you why they think each one is important – and what to do in an emergency.)

Always Have a Grown-Up Nearby: Your Grown-Up can keep you safe if they know where you are. If you accidentally fall in the water they can help you.
Stay Away from Frozen Water: Ice might look strong but it can easily break if you try to stand on it. You don’t want to fall in!
Don’t Throw Toys or Snowballs into Water: If they get stuck you must not go onto the ice to get them in case it breaks and you fall in.
Keep Practising Your Swimming Skills: Lessons help you stay safe and confident in water, so you know what to do in an emergency.
Know What to Do in Emergencies: Shout for help, call 999, and never try to go onto the ice yourself.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through the Ice

Despite best efforts, accidents can happen. Here’s what to do if someone falls through the ice:

1. Do NOT go onto the ice yourself.

Doing so could result in you falling in as well.

2. Call 999 immediately.

Provide clear information about the location and the situation.

3. Shout for help and encourage the casualty to help themselves.

Instruct them to:

Spread their weight to avoid further ice breaking.
Break the ice in front of them to move closer to the edge.

4. Use a throwing or reaching aid.

Find an item such as a stick, pole, or rope to extend to the person.
Keep well away from the edge to avoid getting pulled in.

5. Warm them up gradually.

Once the casualty is safe, use body heat and blankets to warm them slowly while awaiting emergency services.

The Role of Swimming Lessons in Preventing Winter Water Accidents

Swimming lessons are a cornerstone of water safety. Here at Daddy Shark Swim School, we believe that teaching children from an early age builds life-saving skills and water confidence. This starts right from our Parent and Baby lessons, where learning how to hold on, only entering the water when a grown up gives permission and floating on our backs is part and parcel of every lesson.

Swimming lessons not only help children understand water dangers but also equip them with techniques to remain calm and safe in emergencies.

Starting young allows children to progress steadily through the Swim England Learn to Swim programme, ensuring they master foundational skills while earning badges and certificates to mark their achievements. With small class sizes and teachers in the water, our lessons provide the personalised attention every child deserves.

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Conclusion: Prioritise Water Safety All Year Round

All absences should be reported through the Parent Portal; there is no need to message us separately. Due to the high volume of messages we receive, we cannot guarantee a response to absence notifications sent by other means.

Winter water safety is a shared responsibility. By educating your children, supervising their outdoor play, and enrolling them in swimming lessons, you can reduce the risk of accidents and build lifelong water confidence.

Looking to start your child’s swimming journey? Book a two week trial lesson today at Daddy Shark Swim School and give them the gift of water safety and confidence.

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For more resources and advice, visit RLSS UK.