Water safety signs to look out for

Water safety sign at beachThere are three main types of water safety signs you will find when you are around water. Each one has its own meaning, but all of them work to the same system. If you go to the seaside, then there are sometimes special flags to also look out for.

In addition to the water safety signs, you will also find information signs telling you where the toilets are or where you can get first aid. They will also tell you where the public rescue equipment is held.

Water safety signs Information signs
Further resources Water safety flags
Water safety code  

 

Water Safety Signs

 

Signs that warn you of danger are always:

  • Triangle shaped

  • Yellow background, with black symbols

  • They are placed to help you spot a hazard that is not always obvious

They mean that you should be aware of something.

 

 Beware - Deep Water  
This sign means: Beware - Deep Water
   

 

Signs that mean you should not do something are always:

  • A red ring shape, with a line running through
  • White background, red line and black symbols or shapes
  • They inform you of things you are not supposed to do

These signs tell you that it would be dangerous to do something, or go in that place.

 

 

 

 

 No Diving  
This sign means: No Diving
   
   

 

Signs that mean you should do something, are always:

  • Blue and circle shaped
  • White symbols or shapes
  • They inform you of things you need to do

These signs tell you that you should do something to be safe.

 

 

 

 

 Lifejackets must be worn  
This sign means: Lifejackets must be worn.

You can download the full list of water safety signs, or take our quiz....

 

Click to go to the top of the page.Other signs you might see


Information signs, are always :
  • White background
  • Black symbols or text
These signs help you either find something, or get somewhere.
   Swim Here sign  
 
This sign means: Rescue equipment (this way).
       
       

Safe condition signs, are always:
  • Green background
  • White symbols or text
These signs tell you where important safety items are such as the first aid place, or the emergency telephone.
  
First Aid sign
  
 
This sign means: First Aid is available here.

 

Water Safety Flags

At beaches there are flags to tell us when and where it is safe to use the water.

This red flag means it is unsafe to be in the water. Click here for more flags.
 red flag

 

Water Safety Code

Learning the Water Safety Code means you will know how you can be safe in and around water. Click here to learn more.

 

Further Information and Resources

RoSPA have produced a simple easy to read leaflet for parents and teachers which shows how the 'Be Water Wise' code applies in winter and highlights the dangers presented by water and ice. These can be ordered in packs of 10. 

Online water safety information for children and young people can be found on RoSPA's children and young people water safety Click to go to the top of the page.pages.

Site managers can find out more information about the National Water Safety Signage Standard - BS5499: 2002 Part 11 Water Safety Signs (PDF 151kb).  The RoSPA publication Safety at Inland Water Sites provides operators with a framework for risk assessment of inland water sites, and offers guidelines and principles for year round water site management.

 

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