Helping to keep our children safe during Child Safety Week in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Police is this week supporting the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) Child Safety Week (5th – 11th June 2023) to shine a spotlight on some of the dangers children may face in their daily lives.

Regardless of the age of our children, they are the focal point of the family and we want to protect to them at all costs.

Today, GMP are shining a light on the dangers of water. With the weather being so sunny at the moment, there is the temptation to introduce water into your evening and weekend activities, whether this be walking near open water or putting up a paddling pool.

Open water

Open water is classed as a lake, canal or reservoir and can be found in a lot of the country parks and at the side of walkways across Greater Manchester.

With young children, they should always be accompanied by an adult and kept away from the sides of the waterways, to prevent them slipping into the water.

However, older children, usually young teenagers, are often the ones who are at risk the most when it comes to open water. Attracted by the lure of the water to cool them down when it is hot, they often go with a group of friends.

However, jumping in the water can have huge implications for even the strongest of swimmers.

No matter how hot the sun is, open water is often extremely cold. Cold water shock can kill within 60 seconds. This refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water – and it doesn’t even have to be icy.

Other things to think about before going in an open body of water include:

• Lack of safety equipment will mean it will be more difficult to rescue someone if they are in trouble
• The depth of the water – sometimes it may appear shallow but then may drop to a deeper depth
• Underwater objects and hazards may not be visible to the naked eye
• The currents – strong currents make it more difficult to be in control of the swim. This may also not be initially evident
• Water quality – algal blooms are toxic and can make someone extremely ill. There may also be industrial or agricultural pollution in the water

If you are with someone who gets into difficulty in an open body of water, you should immediately dial 999.

Water closer to home

But it’s not just the open water that can be a threat to youngsters – smaller children can face danger in their own back garden.

It’s often a real treat for children when parents prepare a paddling pool for them in the warm weather but there should still be careful considerations given:

• Make sure the water is a suitable temperature for your child
• Never leave them on their own and make sure that they are able to move about safely
• Always empty the paddling pool out when the children are not in it anymore

As well as paddling pools, there are other water dangers lurking in back gardens. If you have a young child and have a pond in your garden, it’s always preferable to fill it in. You could turn it into a sand pit or make sure that it is fenced in or covered if it’s something you want to keep.

You also need to make sure that your child cannot get into your neighbours garden, if they also have a pond and make sure you prevent them getting close to any ponds that may be in your friends’ or family’s gardens.

If you have a hot tub, this should be safely and securely covered when not in use and if you take your children in with you, they should be constantly supervised.

For free child safety advice to parents and carers, as well as supporting professionals who work with children, visit CAPT’s website vhttps://capt.org.uk or follow them on Instagram @capt_charity or Facebook Child Accident Prevention Trust | Facebook

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101. Always dial 999 in case of an emergency.