Introduction
We are fortunate to live in a lovely part of the country, however we need to be mindful that there are a number of potential dangers for our children within the local area. One of these is the nearby canal. With that in mind, please see below for some resources that you may wish to go through with your child.
Canals and rivers are beautiful places to enjoy the great outdoors. But, being over 200 years old, they were not built with safety in mind and sometimes tragedies do happen. Canals and rivers might look inviting for a dip, especially when it’s warm and sunny, but there are lots of hidden dangers. Swimming in them is never safe without the proper equipment. Children are often aware of the dangers at sea but less aware of the dangers inland.
Spot the Dangers
Can your child spot the dangers in the picture below? Use it to provoke discussion about water safety.
Answers
- Child running off because the parents have become distracted.
- Children playing too near the water’s edge.
- Child swimming in canal.
- Children sitting on the edge of a bridge.
- Children swinging from tree over the canal.
- Child about to dive into a lock with strong currents and very deep water.
- A weir with fast running water.
- Fisherman with long pole which can trip people up.
- Objects in the water which may be sharp or trap your feet.
- Cyclist very close to the edge.
Interactive Online Games
The Canal River Trust has a selection of online games for children to play in order to highlight potential dangers. Click the link below to access their resources: