We are a member of the National Water Safety Forum, a voluntary association of organisations all committed to educating people across Britain about water safety. One of the aims of the Forum is that: "every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and receive water safety education at primary school and where required at Key Stage 3".
We take this responsibility very seriously and our Explorers team of staff and volunteers are on a mission to reach children all across England and Wales with really important water safety lessons.
Explorers' 'Be SAFE' workshops
In 2016, Explorers started offering water safety assemblies to primary schools across the country between January and March. The 20 minute volunteer-led assemblies teach children to:
- Stay away from the edge of water
- How to spot hazards
- How to react in an emergency
The message: Be SAFE near water and Stay Away From the Edge
So far in the four years the assemblies have been running, the Explorers have reached over 126,500 children.
Visit our Explorers website for more information about the assemblies and to book a session.
Visits to the canal
The rest of the year, the Explorers arrange special visits to the local canal with school groups, teaching children about the history of the canals, how locks work, nature along the waterways and all about water safety.
Help us to teach children to take care near water by using the word SAFE – Stay Away From the Edge.
- Take the Waterside Safety Challenge
- Order a free water safety booklet full of games and activities to teach children the basics of water safety
- Download Water Safety Activity Sheets for a pack of activities suitable for individual and group work
Jet and the Water Rescue
The Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service have a special member of their watch, Jet the dragon who shoots out water. The team have written a story about Jet and a water rescue. Watch the video with your kids.