Our waterways are beautiful places to spend time, especially when it’s frosty and snowy. While canals and rivers look great on Instagram - the risk of slipping, tripping or falling into the cold water can increase during winter. Towpaths are wet and icy, snowfall can conceal objects like boat mooring rings and ropes which can be tripped over, people are easily distracted while using their mobile phones, or are tipsy from festive celebrations.
Taking care on the towpaths
Anne Gardner-Aston, our director of health and safety, said: “Canals and rivers look beautiful in the frost and snow and it’s no wonder people want to head to the towpath for a mood-boosting wintery walk or to grab that perfect festive shot for socials. But with cold temperatures, and shorter daylight hours, it’s so important to remind ourselves to take care when walking, running or cycling by water.
“When it’s very cold it’s all too easy to slip on ice or wet ground and fall in. Even if you’re a regular towpath visitor and know the area well, with one wrong step you could end up in freezing cold water. So, our message is to take care near the edge of the water, especially festive drinkers celebrating in waterside bars and pubs, go with someone or tell someone where you are going.
“While frozen canals look beautiful no-one should ever attempt to walk on or test the thickness of the ice. Dog walkers are advised to keep dogs on leads during a freeze in case they run onto ice, and to never follow their pet on to a frozen canal.”
Top tips
Top safety tips if you fall into the water this winter:
- The shock of falling into cold water will cause you to gasp. Float on your back while you get your breathing under control. Use your hands to help you if you need to and it’s ok if your legs sink a bit. Then call for help.
- If you can’t stand up, continue to float on your back until help arrives.
Top safety tips if you find someone in the water this winter:
- Stay on the towpath - DO NOT enter the water to help them.
- Call the emergency services straight away.
- Tell the person to float on their back. It will help them control their breathing while the cold shock passes.
- Once their breathing has calmed, and if they can, shout to them to swim to you.
- Lie with your whole body on the towpath, try to reach them with a scarf or a long stick.
- If they can’t swim to you, tell them to keep floating and try to find something to help them stay afloat, like a football or empty bottle.
For more information on how floating can save your life when you are in difficulty in the water, visit the RNLI’s #FloatToLive campaign.
Families should keep young children within sight and explain the importance of staying away from the edge. The Trust offers free water safety assemblies to primary schools, either in person or online. To book an assembly, or for more information about teaching children how to stay safe near water, go to our Explorers water safety page.
