Water Safety

Dear Parents and Carers,

With hot weather warnings in place, East Sussex County Council has asked us to remind families about the importance of water safety. During periods of high temperatures, children, young people, and families may be seeking ways to cool down, so it is especially important to stay safe around water.

Please take extra care when entering rivers, lakes, or the sea. Sudden exposure to cold water can cause cold water shock, which may lead to gasping, loss of breathing control, and in some cases, drowning.

Please remember to:

• Avoid swimming in unsupervised rivers, lakes, or open water
• Always choose safe, supervised places to swim, such as lifeguarded beaches or swimming pools
• Never enter the water after consuming alcohol or drugs
• Check weather conditions, tides, and local safety advice before visiting coastal areas: weather, sea conditions and tide times
• In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you are deaf or have a speech impairment, you can send an emergency SMS