Environment

Living  /  Services  /  Environment  /  Beaches & Water Safety  /  Lakes and Wetlands

Lakes and Wetlands

Tips and advice to ensure your safety around lakes, wetlands and cliffs.

Lakes and wetlands

  • Cold water in lakes and wetlands can be very dangerous. It is often much colder beneath the surface than you think. Suddenly getting into cold water can give you a cold shock. If you feel cold, get out of the water straight away or you could develop hypothermia
  • The bottom of lakes and wetlands can be soft and uneven. Look out for submerged objects
  • Large lakes and rivers may look calm, but remember wind will create choppy waves that make swimming or boating dangerous
  • Do not use floating toys on lakes or wetlands - you can be easily blown away from shore and away from safety

Cliffs

  • Keep clear of cliff edges, as they can be slippery when wet or loose underfoot
  • If you see someone in difficult, tell an adult
  • SAFE - Stay Away From the Edge

Construction sites

  • Stay away from construction sites
  • Remember that you cannot tell how deep a hole is if it is filled with water
  • Ground churned up by digging machinery can be very soft and become filled with water, acting like “quicksand”
  • Sides of trenches can collapse

In an emergency, dial 999 or 112