Practical guidance on keeping children safe around water, from garden ponds to open water and swimming pools.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Young children can drown in as little as a few centimetres of water, and it often happens silently. Supervision, education, and environmental awareness are the most effective prevention measures.
Children are drawn to water and may not understand the dangers. Drowning can occur in seconds and is often silent — there is rarely splashing or calling for help. Risks exist in gardens (ponds, paddling pools), at swimming pools, and near open water such as rivers, canals, and the sea.
1. Supervise constantly around water
Never leave young children unattended near any water — including baths, paddling pools, ponds, and buckets. Active supervision means watching continuously, not checking intermittently.
2. Invest in swimming lessons
Teach your child to swim as early as is practical. Learning water survival skills — floating, treading water, and getting out safely — is as important as learning strokes.
3. Teach open water rules
Explain the dangers of cold water shock, hidden currents, and unseen obstacles. Teach the 'float to live' technique promoted by the RNLI and agree that open water is never entered alone.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19