Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • News
  • Jobs in our industry
Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
My RLSS UKRLSS UK Shop Find a Course Donate
Menu
  • Water Safety
    • Advice For You
    • Advice For Your Business
    • Education Resources for Schools
    • Resources for Leisure Centres & Swimming Pools
    • Insight and Research
    • Industry Approved Aqua Parks
  • What We Do
    • Our Qualifications
    • Our Awards
    • Our Clubs
    • Lifesaving Sport
    • Support for Families
    • Industry Guidance
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Fundraise
    • Volunteer
    • Become a Corporate Partner
  • Campaigns
    • Don't Drink and Drown
    • Drowning Prevention Week
    • Winter Water Safety
    • Summer Water Safety
    • Water Safety (Curriculum) Bill
  • Latest
    • RLSS UK Events
      • Lifesaving Sport
    • News
    • Blog
    • #EVERYDAYHEROES
  • About Us
    • Who Are We?
    • Contact Us
    • Who We Work With
      • Our Partners
      • RLSS UK Advisors
      • Consultancy Projects
    • Job Opportunities
      • Our Jobs
      • Trustee Opportunities
      • External Jobs
      • Apprenticeships
      • #IStartedAsALifeguard
    • International Work
    • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Republic of Ireland
    • News
    • Jobs in our industry
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • winter-water-safety
  1. Home
  2. Winter Water Safety

Winter Water Safety

In winter, children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them.

Taking a nice walk in cold weather with your family, friends or dogs in tow can be really refreshing, just make sure you know some simple tips on how to stay safe in winter.

Here are some useful tips to keep safe this winter:

Stop and Think

Stop and Think

Keep back from slippery banks and wear footwear with a good grip.

Stick to well-lit areas - the reduction in daylight in the winter adds to risks around water. Plan your walks in daylight or along well-lit paths.

Ice can be extremely vulnerable even during periods of prolonged cold. Never go onto the ice.

Stay Together

Stay Together

Keep children within reach and teach children not to go onto ice.

Keep dogs on a lead near ice and slippery banks.

If out enjoying a winter walk, walk with friends.

In an emergency

Call 999

Call 999

Call 999 – do not enter cold water or ice to rescue.

Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach.

Float

Float

Fall in or become tired - stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.

If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Preserve heat by pressing your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water.

Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety and what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly. You can access FREE RLSS UK resources to help.

Resources for Parents

See our advice on ice rescue and self-survival below:

Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water. Don’t be fooled by popular movie scenes, ice can be extremely dangerous and across the UK and Ireland is unlikely to freeze to a suitable depth to safely walk on.


What to do if you fall through the ice:
  1. Keep calm and shout for ‘help’.
  2. Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you.
  3. If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice.
  4. Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank.
  5. If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank-breaking the ice in front of you.
  6. If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Preserve heat by pressing your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water.
  7. Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up.

What to do if you see someone fall through the ice:
  1. Shout for assistance and phone the emergency services – call 999 or 112.
  2. Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue.
  3. Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm.
  4. Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach.
  5. When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice.
  6. If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way.
  7. If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty.

What to do after the casualty has been rescued from the ice:
  1. Make sure the ambulance is on its way.
  2. Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary.
  3. Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc.
  4. Get them out of the cold under cover or create some shelter around them.
  5. Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them.
  6. Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink.
  7. Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually.

Thank you for reading
Make sure you share these safety tips with your friends and family

Share Winter Water Safety

Share Winter Water Safety

Get your children talking about winter water safety by downloading our FREE resources. Read more

Published: 16th May, 2023

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Jess Ackroyd

Sponge to Plunge

Sponge to Plunge

If you're considering open water swimming, acclimatising to cold water is an important step in enjoying a safe swim. Read more

Published: 12th August, 2021

Updated: 27th January, 2023

Author: Kelly Key

Festive Dips - How To Stay Safe And Deal With The Cold

Festive Dips - How To Stay Safe And Deal With The Cold

A favourite festive tradition is getting in the water over Christmas and New Year. Whether you’re an experienced festive dipper or giving it a go for the first time, check out these tips to stay safe. Read more

Published: 16th December, 2020

Updated: 11th August, 2023

Author: Jess Ackroyd

Water Safety in a Flood

Water Safety in a Flood

More than 12% of the UK population live in areas at risk of flooding. Through flood safety education; knowing what to do before, during and after flooding; many drownings can be prevented. Read more

Published: 25th September, 2020

Updated: 2nd November, 2022

Author: Teri Youl

Cold Water Shock – the Facts

Cold Water Shock – the Facts

The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us). Read more

Published: 1st April, 2019

Updated: 4th August, 2023

Author: Teri Youl

Back to top

Latest

  • Leisure Operator takes RLSS UK’s winter water safety advice on tour

    Leisure Operator takes RLSS UK’s winter water safety advice on tour

    Swimming teachers from leisure operator Better are using the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)’s winter water safety resources as part of their roadshow tour around England.

  • Procurement Executive

    Procurement Executive

  • Royal Life Saving Society UK Christmas Appeal 2023

    Royal Life Saving Society UK Christmas Appeal 2023

    Dedicate a light on the RLSS UK virtual Christmas tree to celebrate or remember a loved one this Christmas and help support our work.

  • National Lifesaving Championships 2024

    National Lifesaving Championships 2024

    Save the date for Nationals 2024!

Most read

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    The Royal Life Saving Society UK 's National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The UK’s most popular Pool Lifeguard Training and Certification with courses across the UK and Ireland.

  • Your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah)

    Your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah)

    Find out how to log in to your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah), view our how-to guides, and all the latest FAQs.

  • Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Looking to find a course? This page will direct you to where you need to go.

  • RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

    RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

  • Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us).

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches. The NVBLQ ensures that the qualified lifeguard has the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively across a range of beach environments.

  • National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    NRASTC is a supervision and rescue qualification for teachers working on the poolside or in the water during programmed activities, such as a swimming lesson.

  • Winter Water Safety

    Winter Water Safety

    Children and pets are at risk when tempted to play on the ice and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them.

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

    If you are looking to make an enquiry to the society, our customer service team will be able to help.

  • The stages of the Rookie Lifeguard programme

    The stages of the Rookie Lifeguard programme

    Rookie Lifeguards can receive a certificate, badge and sticker to mark their progress in their own progress book.

Tag cloud

First Aid NLA - FAQs


Our charity impact

Every day we give children the chance to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water, safely.

Find out more How do you want to help?

Popular Links

  • MY RLSS UK
  • Find a Course
  • Employment Opportunities

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • Policies
Report a Safeguarding Concern


Registered with fundraising regulator

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube


Contact Us

0300 323 0096
[email protected]
  • Sitemap
  • GDPR
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is a registered charity in England, Wales (1046060), and Scotland (SC037912). Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (3033781). Registered office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG Images and copyright © RLSS UK.

Manage Cookie Preferences