Water Hazard Signs

Water Hazard Signs help warn people about potential dangers around water and communicate important safety restrictions.

From swimming pools and leisure facilities to lakes, rivers, reservoirs, canals and marinas, appropriate Water Safety Signs can help visitors, employees and members of the public recognise hazards and understand which activities are permitted.

Our range includes Deep Water, Danger Drowning, Strong Currents, No Swimming, No Diving, Shallow Water and water activity signs, available in a choice of sizes and materials.

Types of Water Hazard Signs

Different waterside environments present different risks. Choosing the correct sign starts with understanding the location, the activities taking place and the hazards that need to be communicated.

Deep Water Signs

Deep Water Signs warn people that a body of water may be deeper than expected.

They can be suitable for lakes, reservoirs, ponds, canals, marinas and other waterside environments where water depth presents a potential danger.

Position signs at relevant access points and locations where people may approach the water.

Danger Drowning Signs

Danger Drowning Signs communicate a serious water-related hazard.

They can be useful around open water, industrial water features, drainage ponds, reservoirs and other locations where drowning is an identified risk.

The sign should be positioned where people can recognise the danger before reaching the hazardous area.

Strong Currents & Fast Flowing Water Signs

Moving water can present dangers that aren't immediately obvious from the bank.

Strong Currents and Danger Fast Flowing Water Signs can help identify hazardous conditions around rivers, waterways, channels and other locations where water movement creates a risk.

Consider whether additional access restrictions or physical safety measures are necessary.

Sudden Drop & Shallow Water Signs

Water depth can change unexpectedly.

Sudden Drop Signs help warn people about abrupt changes in depth, while Shallow Water Signs identify locations where the water may be shallower than expected.

These notices can be particularly relevant around leisure facilities, swimming areas and open-water locations.

No Swimming & No Diving Signs

No Swimming Signs communicate that swimming is prohibited in a particular area.

They may be appropriate around reservoirs, lakes, ponds, industrial water features and other locations where swimming is restricted.

No Diving Signs identify areas where diving is prohibited, such as swimming pools, shallow-water areas or locations with underwater hazards.

Use signage that accurately communicates the restriction in place.

A general water hazard warning doesn't necessarily tell somebody that swimming or diving is prohibited.

Swimming Pool Safety Signs

Swimming pools often need several types of safety signage to communicate facility rules and identify specific hazards.

Depending on the pool and its operating arrangements, relevant signs may include:

• No Diving
• No Running
• Shallow Water
• Water Depth
• Pool Rules
• No Inflatables
• No Outdoor Footwear
• Wave Machine Operates
• Weak Swimmers Prohibited

Choose signs according to the facility's risk assessment, operating procedures and actual restrictions.

Life Jacket & Buoyancy Aid Signs

Where appropriate, mandatory water safety signs can communicate requirements to wear life jackets or buoyancy aids.

These may be relevant to particular boating activities, waterside work and managed water sports facilities.

Select wording that reflects the equipment and requirements applicable to the activity.

Signage should support suitable equipment provision, supervision, training and other relevant safety arrangements.

Water Sports & Activity Signs

Our Water Hazard Signs collection also includes notices for designated water activity areas.

Examples include:

• Sailing Area
• Rowing Area
• Fishing Area
• Diving Area
• Swimming Area
• Snorkelling Area
• Windsurfing Area
• Kitesurfing Area
• Water Skiing Area
• Motorised Craft

These signs help communicate where particular activities are designated or restricted.

For managed leisure facilities, clear activity identification can be particularly useful where different water users share the same location.

No Fishing & Private Fishing Signs

Fishing-related signs can help identify restricted or managed fishing areas.

Options include No Fishing, Private Fishing and Private Fishing Permit notices.

Before displaying access restrictions around natural waterways, ensure that the wording accurately reflects the relevant ownership, permissions and public access arrangements.

Where Are Water Hazard Signs Used?

Lakes & Reservoirs

Lakes and reservoirs can present risks including deep water, steep banks, sudden changes in depth and difficult access.

Appropriate warning and prohibition signs can communicate identified hazards and relevant restrictions.

Rivers & Canals

Water movement, changing conditions and restricted access points can create risks around rivers and canals.

Strong Currents, Fast Flowing Water and Danger Drowning notices may be appropriate where those hazards have been identified.

Swimming Pools

Swimming pools may need a combination of warning, prohibition, mandatory and information signs.

Select signs according to the facility's design, operating arrangements and risk assessment.

Marinas, Harbours & Docks

Managed waterside facilities may require signage relating to deep water, restricted access, life jackets, boating activities and other operational hazards.

Farms & Countryside

Farm ponds, drainage lagoons, reservoirs and other rural water features may require suitable warning signs where water presents an identified risk.

Water hazard signage can be used alongside appropriate farm safety and private land notices.

Parks & Public Spaces

Parks, visitor attractions and other public-facing sites may need clear warnings around lakes, ponds, rivers and managed water activities.

Consider the needs of visitors who may be unfamiliar with the location.

What Do Water Safety Sign Colours Mean?

Water safety signage uses recognisable colours and symbols to communicate different types of information.

Warning Signs: Commonly feature a yellow triangular design with a black border and symbol to identify potential hazards.

Prohibition Signs: Use a red circular border and diagonal line to communicate actions that are not permitted, such as No Swimming.

Mandatory Signs: Commonly use a blue circular design to identify required actions, such as wearing appropriate safety equipment.

Safe Condition & Emergency Information: Green signs can help identify emergency information, first aid and suitable safety facilities.

Recognisable designs make different types of instruction easier to distinguish.

Water Hazard Signs & UK Safety Requirements

There isn't one universal list of water safety signs that every UK lake, swimming pool, marina or commercial property must display.

Appropriate signage depends on the location, identified hazards, activities taking place and relevant legal responsibilities.

For workplaces, the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 may require suitable safety signage where significant risks remain after other relevant measures have been implemented.

For public-facing waterside locations, the relevant responsibilities and risk-management arrangements depend on the circumstances.

Signs should form part of an appropriate approach to managing water-related risks, rather than being treated as a substitute for barriers, supervision, rescue arrangements or other necessary measures.

Water Safety Signs & Recognised Symbols

Recognisable safety symbols can help people understand important information quickly.

Relevant standards and water safety guidance provide established designs for different types of signs.

Where an appropriate recognised symbol exists, using it can support consistency and understanding.

However, businesses shouldn't assume that every water-related notice automatically complies with BS EN ISO 7010 or that displaying a sign establishes legal compliance.

Choose the correct design for the message and the location.

Where Should Water Hazard Signs Be Positioned?

Signs should be displayed where people need the information, ideally before they encounter the hazard or enter a restricted area.

Common positions include:

• Waterside entrances
• Swimming pool entrances
• Access gates
• Lake and reservoir approaches
• Riverbanks
• Canal paths
• Marina access points
• Designated activity areas
• Locations with identified depth changes

For larger locations, consider whether additional signs are needed at secondary access points.

Choosing the Right Water Hazard Sign Size

The appropriate sign size depends on viewing distance, lighting and mounting position.

A notice intended for a pedestrian approaching a pool may have different requirements from a sign positioned beside a large outdoor reservoir.

Consider:

• Viewing distance
• Approach direction
• Symbol size
• Text size
• Colour contrast
• Vegetation
• Lighting
• Weather exposure

Choose a sign that can be recognised before somebody reaches the hazardous location.

Choosing Outdoor Water Safety Signs

Water hazard signs are frequently installed outdoors and may be exposed to rain, sunlight, wind and moisture.

Choose a material suitable for the intended environment.

Depending on the product, options may include rigid plastic, recycled plastic and aluminium composite.

Consider secure mounting and regular inspection, particularly in exposed waterside locations.

Water Hazard Signs: A Buying Checklist

Before ordering, ask:

1. What specific water hazard needs to be communicated?
2. Is the sign intended to warn, prohibit, instruct or inform?
3. Who needs to understand the message?
4. Where might people approach the water?
5. Is the symbol appropriate for the instruction?
6. Is the sign large enough for the viewing distance?
7. Will it be displayed indoors or outdoors?
8. Are additional access restrictions required?
9. Are other safety measures already in place?
10. How frequently will the signage need to be inspected?

Choosing a clear, relevant message is more useful than displaying numerous generic warnings.

Made in Britain Water Hazard Signs

Safety Sheep supplies Made in Britain Water Hazard Signs & Water Safety Signs for UK businesses, leisure facilities, local authorities, farms, estates and other waterside locations.

Our range includes Deep Water, Danger Drowning, Strong Currents, No Swimming, No Diving, swimming pool notices and designated water activity signs.

Available in a choice of sizes and durable materials, with bulk savings for businesses and trade customers.

Think Safety. Think Sheep.