Water-related fatalities are at their lowest level since 2018, according to Water Safety Scotland’s latest annual trend report, which contains analysis of data from the Water Incident Database(WAID).
The report also shows that water-related fatalities decreased during 2023 (94) when compared to 2022 (96) andprovides detail on historical and baseline data in comparison to Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy (SDPS).
The WAID Database is maintained by the National Water Safety Forum and gathers information related to water-based incidents.
Water Safety Scotland is a voluntary association of organisations and individuals whose main purpose is to understand the risks around water in Scotland and engage with partners to develop a consistent approach to the prevention of water related fatalities.
The Steering Group of Water Safety Scotland is represented by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Police Scotland and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority. This variety of representation is intended to give a broad and balanced view of the strategic direction and leadership of WSS.
Carlene McAvoy, Founder of WSS and the Data Subgroup Chair, said: “We expected to see accidental deaths rise as not recorded has decreased due to the improved dataset via the Drowning and Incident Review. However, we have actually seen a decrease in accidental fatalities in 2023.
“The recent figures for overall water-related fatalities shows a decrease – bringing the number of overall water-related fatalities down to its lowest level since 2018, when we saw 78 fatalities.
“Accidental water-related fatalities are also below the SDPS average via the introduction of the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR), a pioneering process created in Scotland which aims to gather all relevant data and information in order to systematically and rigorously review each accidental water-related incident with a view to preventing a future occurrence”.
Water Safety Scotland continues to promote water safety through its assets including free education resources for teachers and practitioners and free consistent water safety messaging for partners to use across Scotland.
As summer approaches, Water Safety Scotland wants to remind the public to stay safe and follow the three part Water Safety Code:
- Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers
- Stay Together, Stay Close
- In an Emergency, Call 999
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Figures showing water related deaths are at their lowest since 2018 should be welcomed but we cannot be complacent. Any death is one too many and leaves a devastating impact on victim’s families and surrounding communities.
“The Scottish Government continues to take water safety very seriously. Through the Water Safety Action Plan we are taking a range of measures including improving awareness through training for children and young people and improving signage around Scotland’s open water.
“We would encourage everyone to follow the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers, Stay Together, Stay Close and call 999 in an emergency.”
Charity urges focus on water safety as child drownings in England double over last four years
National charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), shares data[1] that accidental drowning deaths amongst children have doubled since 2019-20 as its annual water safety education campaign begins.
The data shows the number of child drowning deaths in England has significantly increased from 20 in 2019-20, to 41 in 2022-23. Tragically, a total of 125 children have accidentally lost their lives to drowning in the last four years.
With England reporting an alarming increase in child drowning fatalities, RLSS UK is urging everyone to learn the Water Safety Code though its video animation as part of its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign, taking place from 15-22 June 2024.
Targeted at young children and families, the national water safety education campaign aims to ensure as many people as possible are equipped with vital lifesaving knowledge to allow them to enjoy water safely this summer.
Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “The alarming increase in tragic child drowning deaths in England highlights just how important it is that families are aware of the importance of water safety and have the correct knowledge to make the right decisions around water.
“We are urging parents to stay vigilant in, on and around water, both at home and when spending time outdoors and to have the water safety conversation with their children.
“With warmer summer days on the horizon, we will inevitably see people flock to open water sites across the UK and Ireland, as well as taking opportunities to enjoy water at home in the garden. We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy water this summer by having the knowledge to do so safely.
“More than half of child drownings occur in June, July and August, and Drowning Prevention Week works to equip families with the appropriate skills and knowledge to enjoy water safely during the summer months and beyond.”
During the 2023 campaign, RLSS UK materials and resources were used to educate over 1.85 million children in vital water safety knowledge and skills.
Matt Croxall added: “For this year’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, we are looking to educate even more young people on water safety, providing children with the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.”
For Drowning Prevention Week, RLSS UK has a range of free new and updated educational resources available on its website for children, including lesson plans for schools and downloadable resources for parents, as well as an engaging video animation to support families in learning the Water Safety Code.
For more information around Drowning Prevention Week, please visit our website at www.rlss.org.uk/dpw.
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