A charity is launching a campaign urging people across the country to get summer ready by brushing up on their water safety skills and knowledge.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is running its Drowning Prevention Week campaign from June 18 to 25.
Lancashire Police issued a warning after hundreds of intoxicated teens were putting their lives at risk by jumping into the quarry in West Lancashire last year.
More than 400 people die each year in the UK and Ireland from accidental drowning, with the summer months proving to be the most dangerous, with the most fatalities recorded during June, July and August.
RLSS UK is a national charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “We have seen a rise in the number of drownings over the last few years, with peaks during the summer.
"In July 2021, there were 49 accidental drowning fatalities in the space of just two weeks in the UK, and we know that with the right water safety knowledge, accidental drownings are avoidable."
Last July, a family from Preston almost drowned in Ullswater Windermere lake. The three of them were saved by a couple who risked their lives pulling the family out of the water.
The 15-year-old who noticed his cousin was drowning said: “At first the water was quite shallow and then it got deep.”
The RLSS UK want to highlight that even strong swimmers can be at risk if they don’t have the knowledge to judge the water and environment properly.
The charity’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign will equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills to make the right decisions for themselves and others, which could potentially save a life.
According to research, more than 55 per cent of parents said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water which is something the charity wants to address and change.
With many families opting for staycations and heading to the coastlines and waterways for holidays in recent times, having an understanding of what to do if you find yourself or someone else in trouble in the water 'is more important than ever.'
It is vital that drowning is brought to everybody’s attention since evidence shows that 40 per cent of people had no intention to enter the water.
Lee Heard continued: “We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents, as well as a brand new animation to engage young people in learning about water safety.
“If you or someone else finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s vital to remember the Water Safety Code.
"Whenever you are around water you should stop and think to assess your surroundings and look for any dangers; stay together when around water and always go with family and friends; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast; and finally float to live, if you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.”
Drowning Prevention Week takes place between June 18 and 25.
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