Stay Water Aware

Stay Water Aware: Safety Advice for Summer 2026
 
As we head into the warmer months, Warrington’s waterways—including the Mersey, the Ship Canal, and Lymm Dam—become popular spots. However, even on a warm day, the water remains dangerously cold.
The “Float to Live” Technique
If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly, do not try to swim hard immediately. This can lead to cold water shock. Instead:
  1. Tilt your head back with ears submerged.
  2. Relax and try to control your breathing.
  3. Move your hands to help you stay afloat.
  4. Once calm, then seek help or swim to safety.
Key Dates & Local Events
  • Drowning Prevention Week (13th–20th June 2026): Look out for safety workshops and “Rookie Lifeguard” taster sessions at LiveWire Orford Jubilee and Woolston Neighbourhood Hubs.
  • Be Water Aware (Ongoing): Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are conducting “Throwline” training for local businesses near the town centre’s waterfront.
Quick Safety Checklist:
 
The “Why” Behind the Warning
Teens are a high-risk group because they often misjudge their swimming ability in open water compared to a pool.
  • Cold Water Shock: Even in a May 2026 heatwave, water temperatures in reservoirs and canals remain below 10°C. This causes an involuntary “gasp reflex,” leading to water inhalation and potential drowning in seconds.
  • Hidden Dangers: Warrington’s canals and rivers often hide shopping trolleys, jagged metal, and thick reeds that can snag limbs.
Essential Advice for Teens
  • Float to Live: If you fall in, fight the urge to swim. Tilt your head back, ears in the water, and move your hands to stay afloat until your breathing is under control.
  • Stick Together: Never swim alone. Make sure your friends get home safely, especially if you’ve been near water at night.
  • Shout, Reach, Throw—Don’t Go: If you see a friend in trouble, do not jump in to help. You could both drown. Instead, shout for help, reach with a branch, or throw a float.
  • Use What3Words: In an emergency, use the What3Words app to give your exact location to 999 call handlers
 
There were 277 accidental drownings in the UK in 2021. 62% of these happened at inland waters and 83% of these were male.
These are scary statistics. We want to help you feel confident in making safe choices around water all year round, so that this doesn’t happen to you or your friends.
Water may look safe, especially a familiar stretch of water local to you, but poor decisions around it can create a dangerous situation.
If you need to talk to anyone about the videos below or have questions about how to keep safe near the water, speak to a trusted adult (such as your parent/s, teacher, youth worker, caregiver).
 
Water Safety Pack
Find out more about how to keep you and your friends safe by water by taking a look at this Water Safety Pack.
Dossing about with your friends
A hot day in the summer holidays, what better way to cool down than by jumping into your local lock.
Big mistake.
There may be Tik Tok trends, and there may be dares and bets, but do not try to jump over the canal, jump into a lock or jump off bridges. There are no lifeguards along canals and rivers to help you. Also, if you’re on a secluded part of the water, it will take the emergency services much longer to reach you.
Do you know how deep the water is? Canals are often quite shallow, and you could easily hit the bottom if you jump from a height.
Do you know what’s in the water? Landing on a shopping trolley could really hurt you. Consider that there are diseases and reeds, and also plant life that can tangle around your limbs, possibly dragging you down.
Just because your friend suggests it, why hurt yourself to show off?
Remember, don’t just be a by-stander, watch out for your mates. Tell them they’re doing something dangerous, and they could get hurt.
No matter how strong a swimmer you are, you can’t prepare for cold water shock.
James Goodship was a strong swimmer but, tragically, he drowned at Foulridge Reservoir when he was 17. His parents miss him desperately. Hear about his last day.
Cold water shock – the stats
  • Low water temperatures cause the body to go into ‘cold water shock’.
  • It reacts to the cold water by drawing the blood away from muscles to protect the organs and making it difficult to move limbs.
  • The cold water will make you gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water
  • Your heart will beat really fast, you’ll lose energy quickly, and eventually your muscles will become paralysed.
Float to live
Instead, float on your back to keep your airways clear, control your breathing and allow the cold water shock to pass. Then you can call out for help or even swim to safety.
The RNLI have a great video on how to float. This will help you in any stretch of water, not just the sea.
Alcohol and water do not mix
 
Charlie Pope died on a night out with his friends. He was on his own, he’d been separated from his friends.
Stick with your friends and make sure they get home safely.