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The charity making life better by water

Alcohol and water safety

When enjoying waterside bars, pubs and restaurants, take care near water and find a route home away from the water's edge.

Charlie Pope

Charlie Pope was 19 when he drowned on a night out in Manchester.

Watch the reactions of a group of young people as they hear his father Nick talk about Charlie and what happened on the evening he died.

When you're on a night out, please look out for one another. If you go out together, stay together, and take a route home away from the water.

Don't drink and drown

We're supporting the Royal Life Saving Society's campaign, which warns us all not to walk home next to water or to enter water when under the influence of alcohol.

Please read these top tips from the RLSS UK to make sure you all get home safely:

  • If you do go out, look out for each other when you've had a few drinks and make sure you walk home with friends
  • Plan your journey home before you go out
  • Don't walk home alongside the water after a night out. Find a better route home
  • Make sure your friends get home safely after a night out. Don't let them walk by the water

We hosted a Facebook Live at the Aire Bar, which sits alongside the Aire & Calder Navigation in Leeds. We talked about why the Don't Drink and Drown campaign is so important with RLSS UK, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and Bath Spa University. Thanks to Made in Leeds TV for the loan of their presenter.

Last Edited: 29 November 2021

photo of a location on the canals
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