Did you know that 1 in 4 parents in the UK (26%) haven’t or don’t remember ever discussing water safety with their child(ren)? Did you also know that only 3 in 5 parents of children aged 8+ in the UK (62%) are confident that their child could self-rescue from open water?
With figures indicating that around 25% of primary school pupils leave school unable to swim, there is a real fear that as a result of the pandemic many more children will lack the ability or confidence to swim or self-rescue, should they find themselves in difficulty in the water.
We are supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, running from 15-22 June 2024, and urging our members to access the charity’s free online resources to ensure their children have the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
Whether heading abroad this summer or opting for a staycation, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), fears that families will head to beaches and inland water locations this summer, without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk. Those of us who will be venturing abroad for their summer holiday, may find themselves using non-lifeguarded pools and therefore be at risk if they do not have the necessary water safety skills.
As children (especially boys) enter their late teens, they become increasingly more likely to take risks, with more than 312 people accidentally drowning every year.
And for every drowning death that occurs, there are more than 10 near-drownings, with many of these leading to life-changing injuries.
For more information, and to find out how you can make sure your family enjoys water safely this summer: www.rlss.org.uk/DPW.