Keeping your little ones safe as lockdown eases

3 years ago

Now that lockdown restrictions are easing and the sun is finally shining again, you might be contemplating a staycation in the coming weeks. With 7,723 miles of coastline, 2,200 miles of canals and 40,000 lakes in the UK, it’s likely that your family holiday or day trip will involve some time on or around the water. But with face masks and social distancing now part of everyday life, keeping your little ones out of harm’s way suddenly takes on a new meaning.

Tamsin Brewis, owner of local baby swim school, Water Babies Bucks and Beds, is sharing her top tips on how to make sure the whole family can have fun at the beach, canals and lakes this summer, whilst also maintaining social distancing.

At the beach

• Make sure your whole family understand the warning flags and signs on beaches. The RNLI have warned that, due to COVID-19, there will be fewer lifeguard patrols this summer, so take extra care and decide on a family meeting point if your little ones wander off

• On UK shores, rip currents are common, so make sure your children aren’t following older siblings or other beach-goers into the water without alerting you first

• A great way to ensure social distancing when you’re out and about at the beach is to arrive ‘beach ready’, so showered and already in your swimwear. Avoid using public shower facilities and wash off when you get home

• If you’d prefer your child to wear a face mask at the water’s edge, a lot of stockists sell waterproof versions that will survive a splash. Alternatively, many of the cotton variety are machine washable.

Canals, lakes and streams

• Whilst visiting lakes and streams, don’t be tempted to let your children take a dip; wait for the safety of the supervised paddling pool!

• River and canal banks can become very slippery and are often steeper than they first appear. Holding hands whilst playing waterside will help minimise accidents

• Be aware of mooring stations and loose ropes around docked boats – if you’re enjoying a walk it’s easy to miss these trip hazards

• Water levels changing around canal weirs can be fascinating for little ones but be particularly cautious when watching canal boats pass through. Walkways can be narrow and slippery, so don’t let your children near the lock without being supervised.

Tamsin summarises: “Trying to maintain social distancing, keeping an eye on your loved ones and making sure you’re enjoying time with your family is a real balancing act. The best thing about these tips is they take very little time to implement but can make all the difference. With the sun shining and restrictions lifting, it’s no wonder families are itching to get out and about again and by bearing the above in mind, you’re guaranteed some safe fun in the sun!”

For more water safety tips from Tamsin and her team, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WaterBabiesMiltonKeynesBedsNorthants/. Or for more information about Water Babies Bucks and Beds, visit www.waterbabies.co.uk/lp/baby-swimming/bucks-and-beds

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Editor’s notes:

To speak with Tamsin Brewis, contact Kelly Ayres at Rev PR on 07895 876745 or email kelly@revpr.co.uk

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About Water Babies

In a nutshell, we teach water confidence and safety skills to babies and toddlers. However, we're about so much more besides. Our classes are great for making new friends, helping to enhance the bonding process, having fun... and seeing the utter thrill of your little one gliding underwater towards you. In the last three years alone we know our lessons were directly responsible for saving the lives of ten little ones who otherwise might have tragically drowned. That makes us very proud. And we like raising money for other babies. To date, we've raised over £750,000 for Tommy's. And we're aiming to raise another £200,000 for them (possibly!) this coming summer.