Water safety is a regular agenda item for the Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership. Many partner agencies attend our more popular sites to inform and advise users about the dangers of swimming in open water.
Respect the water
Our Respect the Water campaign has been running since 2018 and we have a plan dedicated to water safety in Elmbridge. Find out more:
Drowning prevention strategy
Elmbridge has a joint Drowning Prevention Strategy (with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - ROSPA, Royal Life Saving Society - RLSS and RNLI) where we work with other partners to educate about the dangers of open water. This is regularly promoted through schools and multi-agency campaigns.
Targeted communications
During the summer months, we carry out targeted communications activity in high usage areas, with water safety banners up at Hurst Park and Albany Reach to advise users of the risk of open water.
Throw lines
We have 11 throw lines installed in the borough, with 7 new throw line boards installed at high-risk locations – Desborough Island (4), Hurst Park (2) and Cigarette Island (1).
Water safety events
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, working with us and other partners, hold water safety events demonstrating throw line use, highlighting the dangers at Cowey Sale and more.
Other work
We continue to share social media around water safety and we continue to engage with most year 6 pupils in the borough at our annual Junior Citizen event, where an interactive session on water safety is run either by the RNLI or Places Leisure lifeguards.
We continue to work with our partners on water safety and to promote the dangers of swimming in lakes, ponds and rivers. Watch our awareness videos below: