Look After your Waterways and Consider Others

• Protect the waterway environment – keep noise to a minimum and don’t damage the vegetation or banks.

• Take home everything that you brought with you, and leave the site as you found it.

• Never dump rubbish, sewage or oily bilge water into the water or onto the bank.

• Clean up after your dog and keep it under control.

• Don’t light fires.

• Things can go wrong on canals. If you see something dangerous such as serious damage to structures or water escaping, call the British waterways emergency helpline – 0800 47 999 47.

• Report pollution, fly tipping or fish in distress to the Environment Agency or the pollution hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

• Report birds or animals in distress to the RSPCA: 0990 555999 (24 hrs).

Take Care

• Spot the dangers. For example …

Not all towpaths give smooth, easy walking or cycling.

If the water appears frozen, never trust the ice to take your weight.

Watch out for concealed mooring pins or ropes across the path beside moored boats.

Be prepared for changes in weather and local water conditions.

Always keep young children under supervision.

Swimming is prohibited – it’s dangerous.

• Take safety advice. Watch out for warning signs.

• Children: Don’t go alone.

Go with a friend who can help you if you’re in trouble.

Always make sure an adult knows where you are going and when you will be back.

• Learn what to do in an emergency.

Keep calm – think before you act. Don’t put yourself in danger.

Phone or send for help.

If a person or pet falls in, don’t jump in. Instead …

reach with a stick, pole, piece of clothing or similar. Crouch or lie down to avoid being pulled in. If this is not possible then …

throw – a rope is best – you can then pull the person out. Otherwise throw something inflatable to help keep them afloat until help arrives.

wade – test the depth with a long stick before wading in. The use the stick to reach out. Hold on to someone else on the bank.