Today marks the start of Drowning Prevention Week (15-22 June) which is one of the largest summer water safety campaigns across the UK and Ireland.
The Water Safety Partnership is supporting the Royal Lifesaving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week which is deliberately timed ahead of the school summer holidays when children spend more time outdoors and when vital water safety skills can help keep children safe. In 2023, 28 accidental drownings occurred in June, with 20 in July, and 21 in August.
The National Water Safety Forum has reported that sadly 236 people accidentally died in water related fatalities in the UK in 2023. This is in line with the five-year average of 243, but ten more than 2022. There are also 211 further cases where the cause of death is still unknown, so the number of accidental fatalities is likely to increase as additional information becomes available from coroners.
63% of the deaths occurred in inland waterways including rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and quarries. Many of those who lost their lives were not intending to enter the water, 88 of the fatalities (37%) were walking or running before the accident.
Males over the age of 15 are the most at risk group and accounted for 83% of accidental fatalities.
Around 73% of accidental drownings occurred in the absence of professional supervision. It’s therefore even more important to ensure that children aren’t left unsupervised around residential swimming pools to ensure they stay safe in, on and around the water.
The number of deaths and other injuries caused by water related incidents - many of which are sadly life-altering - can be reduced by being aware of the risks and following some simple advice.
To stay safe while spending time in and around water, please follow this advice:
- Never swim alone in case you need help.
- Try to swim on beaches that have lifeguards present.
- Don’t drink alcohol when undertaking water-related activities, it impairs judgement and your ability to swim.
- Avoid walking routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol.
- Don’t dive or jump straight into open water, this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day.
- Actively supervise children in and around water - drowning can happen quickly and silently.
- People should avoid swimsuits in light blue, grey, or green as they can blend with the water and pool surroundings, making it difficult to spot a child. We recommend bright and contrasting colours such as neon yellow, orange, pink and bright red.
- If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back by creating a star shape with your body until the effects of cold water shock pass.
- Stop children gaining access to residential pools by installing secure fencing at least 4 feet high and always follow pool manufacturers' advice for pool/equipment maintenance and safety checks.
- Cover small ponds with a combination of heavy-duty wooden trellis and wire mesh. Safety grids that sit just below the surface of the water are also available from a number of retailers. Put a fence around large ponds to ensure children cannot access them.
- Never enter the water to try and rescue someone, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service if inland and the Coastguard if you are at the coast.
Every summer, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Swim England help thousands of children stay safe on the beach through free Swim Safe sessions.
There is a lot of water safety education material available for those that work with children on the Royal Lifesaving Society UK website.
Jon Winstanley, Chairman of the Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire Water Safety Partnership, said: “Do you know where your kids go, and what they get up to, when they’re out with their friends? Please speak with them about the dangers of open water – it could save their life.
No matter how hot it is outside, please don’t ever be tempted to cool off by swimming in open water or encourage your friends to jump into reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds, or any other open water, unless it’s part of an organised event.”
David Grayson, Group Manager at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “With so many rivers, lakes and canals running through Berkshire, it’s important that people know how to stay safe when spending time in and around the water.
“Our teams are working closely with our partners to make Berkshire’s waterways safer. Our crews and prevention staff regularly give talks to school groups on water safety, we’ve supported the installation of lifesaving equipment throughout the county and we’ve expanded our water rescue capabilities to help keep people safe.
“However, we know that young people who are finishing school or college for the summer may be especially tempted to enter the water to cool off. What we would remind them, and their parents, is that they must respect the water.
“Please don’t jump into rivers from bridges, don’t drink alcohol before swimming and never swim alone. If you want to go swimming, make sure that there is a lifeguard present or join an organised open water swimming group.”
For more information about the Water Safety Partnership visit: Water Safety Partnership - PPP (publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk)
The Water Safety Partnership is a joint partnership between West Berkshire Council, Bracknell Forest Council, The Canal and River Trust, Thames Valley Police, The Environment Agency, South Central Ambulance Service, the National Health Service, and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to try to prevent as many water based fatalities and injuries as we can.
