Tag: child drownings

Water safety charity issues warning as survey shows most parents mistake baby bath seats as safety devices

According to a new eye-opening survey from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)*, there is a worrying misconception among parents that a baby bath seat is a safety device.

The survey showed that almost three quarters of parents (72%) believe a baby bath seat is designed to keep a baby safe. This is not the case. Research published in RLSS UK’s Child Drowning Update (2019-2023) revealed that out of ten children under one that drowned in the bath, seven were using a baby bath seat.

Figures also revealed that 88% of parents have used a baby bath seat, and almost two-thirds (64%) of those with children under one currently do so. RLSS UK is therefore working to increase parents’ understanding of the purpose of baby bath seats to help promote safer bathtimes for all families.

Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We find it heartbreaking to learn that child drownings in the bath are continuing to take place – and it is concerning to learn that in many of these instances, there was a bath seat involved.

“Seeking to shed light on the major misconception that bath seats can be used as a safety device, we want to educate more families to be aware of the risks, so they are able to stay safe.

“Of ten infants that drowned in the bath in the last four years, seven were using a bath seat. Regardless of whether you are using a bath seat during bathtime, we always advise parents and carers to keep young children within arm’s reach in water. And if you do need to leave the bathroom at all, take the child with you. Whilst bath seats can provide support for your baby during bath time, bath seats are not a safety device.”

Splash Safety in Bath Seats forms part of RLSS UK’s brand-new campaign, Splash Safety at your Pad, which seeks to raise awareness among parents and carers of young children about the importance of water safety when at home, with a particular focus on bathtime.

Matt added: “In response to these tragic findings, we are pleased to introduce our educational Splash Safety at your Pad campaign, which aims to share important water safety messages with families across the UK and Ireland in a fun and engaging way.

“We hope this campaign has a positive impact on families with young ones and makes all the difference.”

Vital key safety advice when bathing your child:

  • Children should always be within arm’s reach – regardless of using a baby bath seat.
  • Get everything you need ready to go before filling the bath – from towels to pyjamas.
  • Avoid distractions and leave your phone outside the bathroom.
  • Check that the water has fully drained after emptying the water in the bath.
  • When not in use, keep the plug and toys out of reach and shut the bathroom door to limit children’s access without a grown-up.

*Consumer survey (September 2024), geographically representative sample of n=1,003 parents of children under five years from across the UK.

For more information around RLSS UK’s 2024 Child Drowning Update, please visit our website: www.rlss.org.uk/splash-safety

Water safety charity issues warning after shocking report shows one child drowns EACH MONTH at home

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has published a Child Drowning Update for 2024 which highlights that in the last four years, on average, at least one child a month drowned at home in England.

This shocking statistic follows earlier findings from the charity, which used data from the National Child Morality Database (NCMD), underlining that child drowning deaths in England have doubled since 2019-20.

Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We find it heartbreaking to learn that one child a month is drowning at home.

“In a bid to reduce the number of young lives lost, our latest report seeks to help shed light on the factors contributing to child drownings, so that we can help more families be aware of the risks and stay safe.”

The report highlights that 2 out of 3 drownings that occurred at home did so in the bath, and that most of the children affected were aged under five.

Matt added: “In 86% of child drownings, the child was unsupervised by an adult at the time of the incident. In some cases of bath drownings, the parent had only left the bathroom for a moment, and this emphasises just how quickly and silently a child can drown – in a matter of minutes.”

RLSS UK is keen to change the misconception held by 55% of parents, according to a new survey from the charity*, who believe that they would hear thrashing and a lot of noise if their child was struggling in the bath – which is not the case.

RLSS UK’s survey also revealed that 59% of parents of children under five said they had left the bathroom at least once in the last month whilst their child was in the bath – and for most, this was down to them forgetting something, such as a towel.

Matt continued: “We always advise parents and carers to keep young children within arm’s reach in water. And if you do need to leave the bathroom at all, take the child with you.”

In response to these findings and to dispel harmful myths around bathtime, RLSS UK is launching a brand-new campaign, Splash Safety at your Pad, which will run from 1-31 October 2024.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness among parents and carers of young children about the importance of water safety when at home, with a particular focus on bathtime. As leading experts in water safety education, RLSS UK will share hints and tips to help families enjoy water safely.

Matt said: “We are pleased to introduce our Splash Safety at your Pad campaign, which aims to share important water safety messages with families across the UK and Ireland in a fun and engaging way. We hope this campaign has a positive impact on families with young ones and can help promote fun and safe bathtimes for all children.

“Splash Safety at your Pad launched on Tuesday 1 October so keep your eyes peeled on our social channels for more!”

*Consumer survey (September 2024), geographically representative sample of n=1,003 parents of children under five years from across the UK.

For more information around RLSS UK’s 2024 Child Drowning Update, please visit our website: www.rlss.org.uk/splash-safety

For more information or media enquiries, please contact Simrit Mann by emailing simritmann@rlss.org.uk or calling 07890 900 508.