Tag: National Water Safety Forum

Public urged to keep off the ice as temperatures plummet 

Stay off the ice to save your life – that’s the warning from the National Water Safety Forum as the UK experiences a significant cold snap. 

Cold temperatures have led to the freezing over of many inland waters, which can be a risk to life. Although frozen lakes, ponds, canals, rivers and lochs may look enticing, ice can be extremely unpredictable – it is impossible to tell how thick it is or if it can bear weight.  

The warning comes in the wake of several fatalities in recent years, where sadly people lost their lives after falling through ice. 

The National Water Safety Forum is aiming to educate the public about the dangers of frozen and icy waters and promote informed, safe outdoor activities during the colder months to prevent further tragedies. With some schools closing due to weather conditions, parents and carers are encouraged to share the warning with young people. 

Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the National Water Safety Forum, said: “Icy conditions present a unique set of risks and frozen waterways are a serious threat to life, increasing the chance of an accidental immersion and cold shock, which can kill in seconds.

“As with all risks, a little knowledge and consideration can make a lifesaving difference: the NWSF is providing this knowledge.”   

Gavin Ellis, Water Safety Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “Our message is simple: please stay off frozen lakes, rivers and canals.

“Ice is never safe, and what looks like fun can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency. We urge parents and carers to speak to children about the dangers and help keep them safe this winter.” 

To keep yourself and your loved ones safe around water this winter, the National Water Safety Forum is urging everyone to follow this essential advice: 

  • Stay off the ice – ice thickness and water depth are variable and unpredictable 
  • Keep back from the edge – fallen leaves or snow might obscure the boundary, whilst ice makes things slippery underfoot 
  • Always supervise children – talk to them about the dangers of ice and never let them play on or near frozen water 
  • Keep dogs on a lead – prevent dogs from venturing onto the ice and don’t throw balls or sticks onto frozen water for them to fetch  

What do in an emergency: 

If someone falls through the ice: 

  • Do not go onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue – instead, phone 999 immediately 
  • Tell the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back 
  • Look for nearby rescue equipment to throw, or try to reach them from solid ground with a branch or pole 
  • Try to keep your eyes on the person in the water at all times 
  • If you are able to get the person out safely, keep them warm with dry clothing and/ or shelter until the emergency services arrive 

If a dog falls through the ice: 

  • Do not attempt a direct rescue – instead, encourage your pet to swim back to you so that you can lift them out 
  • If your pet cannot reach you, use a branch or pole to reach them without venturing onto the ice. 

If you fall through the ice: 

  • Float on your back until you feel calm 
  • Shout for help when your breathing is under control 
  • Try to climb out by spreading your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you and pulling yourself out slowly 
  • If you cannot climb out, continue to float with your head clear of the water and wait for the emergency services. 

UK charity calls for class-based water safety education to save live

New figures show that 249 people accidentally drowned in the UK and Ireland in 2024, with more than 1,600 lives lost in the last five years.

Following the release of new data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) and Water Safety Ireland, national charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to stay vigilant when in, on or around water this summer. 

With 141 children known to have drowned from England, Scotland and Wales in the last three years alone, ensuring your family knows what to do in an emergency is vital. RLSS UK is urging everyone to learn the Water Safety Code through its video animation, during its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign, from 14 to 21 June 2025. 

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, Interim Charity Director, said: “Drowning is preventable. As a charity, we believe in the importance of everyone having the opportunity to learn key lifesaving knowledge, including the Water Safety Code, to keep them and their families safe and able to enjoy the water safely.

“We are deeply saddened at every life lost to drowning. We will continue to campaign and advocate for all children to have access to high-quality class-based water safety education, whatever their background.”

RLSS UK has been a long-term advocate for class-based water safety education across schools in the UK and Ireland.

Research has shown this type of learning is proven to increase water safety awareness and water confidence in the long-term, providing a ‘lesson for life’.

Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the NWSF, added: “Drowning claims many lives each year, often of young people. Education and knowledge underpin drowning prevention which is why events like the RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week are so important and the ‘lessons for life’ it will provide are crucial.” 

In 2024, the campaign saw the charity’s free resources used to educate an estimated 1.25 million children. As part of its ambition to grow this number further, RLSS UK has just launched brand-new materials for children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The charity will be hosting an event with MPs and partners tomorrow (Tuesday 17 June) at Westminster, to draw attention to the urgent need for class-based water safety education and seek support for its formal inclusion in the National Curriculum’s RHSE guidance for England.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Water Safety Education, of which RLSS UK is the Secretariat, will also be hosted on the same day.

Pools in Edinburgh dive into life-saving lessons for Drowning Prevention Week

Over 8,300 youngsters to learn vital water safety skills this June

IT’S NOT just about front crawl and backstrokes, Learn to Swim lessons in Edinburgh Leisure are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during this month to mark Drowning Prevention Week as part of a Scotland-wide campaign.

From Shetland to the Borders, swimming pools are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills.

Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else’s.

The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland’s waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland.

Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers.

John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety.

“It’s not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.”

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: “”We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it’s particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water.

“These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.”

The Learn to Swim National Framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools from Shetland to the Borders with the vision of creating “Generation Swim”, a generation of children who are confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.

The programme currently reaches around 82,000 children across Scotland who will have access to a new interactive water safety quiz that has been developed to improve water safety knowledge this year.

The Learn to Swim National Framework is committed to creating inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level.

Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland.

For more information on Learn to Swim can be found on its website: https://learntoswim.scot/

New research shows alarming relationship between higher UK air temperatures and spikes in drowning

The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has released research which shows a concerning relationship between increases in accidental drowning deaths when warmer weather hits the UK – urging people to Respect the Water and stay safe as the weather heats up.  

The two independent pieces of research, one by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK[1]) and another by Bournemouth University[2] both conclude that significantly more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather.

Dr Sam Hills, from Bournemouth University, explains: “The data indicates when UK average maximum air temperatures reach or exceed 25°C, there is a fivefold increase in accidental drowning risk when compared to days with an average of 10°C.

“Analysis also shows three times as many accidental drowning fatalities occur on days when air temperatures reach 25°C or more, when compared to the seasonal average.”

RLSS UK’s analysis also highlights the risk of taking a swim to cool off, as 57% of those who accidently drowned on days exceeding 25°C were swimming, almost three times higher than average[3]. During peak temperatures, the findings also conclude that teenagers and young adults are proportionately more likely to lose their lives.

Speaking about the research, Matt Croxall, RLSS UK Charity Director, commented: “These findings are alarming and reinforce the importance of knowing how to enjoy the water safely, as every year we hear about preventable tragedies in open water when temperatures rise.

“We are sharing this new insight ahead of the coming periods of hot weather to encourage people to have the water safety conversation with loved ones, particularly teenagers and young adults, about how to stay safe near water and to know to call 999 in an emergency.”

Ross MacLeod, RNLI Water Safety Manager added: “It’s well known that people’s behaviour changes during periods of warmer weather, with many heading to open water sites to cool off and enjoy water-related activities.

“The best way to keep yourself and others safe is to visit supervised locations and know what to do in a water emergency.”

Choose a place with lifeguards on duty such as patrolled beaches at the coast, or supervised swimming pools, aquaparks and lakes inland.

If you choose to enter the water somewhere without lifeguards, please stop and think first to assess the dangers, and always stay with other people.

If you find yourself in difficulty in the water remember Float to Live 

  • Tilt your head back with ears submerged
  • Relax and try to control your breathing
  • Use your hands to help you stay afloat
  • It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently

If you see someone else in difficulty in the water, remember Call, Tell, Throw

  • Call 999 to get help
  • Tell the struggling person to float on their back
  • Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring, inflatable toy, or bottle

Both research teams worked with the Met Office to use its data, combined with fatality data from the NWSF’s Water Incident Database (WAID).

Chris Walsh, Met Office Head of Warnings and Guidance, added: “Being prepared and aware of the dangers when there’s hot weather is the best way of keeping everyone safe.

“We know many people want to enjoy hot weather, but it’s important everyone knows the advice from RLSS UK and RNLI about what to do if they get in trouble in the water.”

For more Water Safety information, visit www.RespectTheWater.com to see campaigns from RLSS UK, RNLI and other NWSF partners.

For more information or any media enquiries, please contact Simrit Mann by emailing simritmann@rlss.org.uk or calling 0300 323 0096.

New report shows more than a classroom of children died from accidental drowning in 2022

An event at Westminster last month saw the launch of the inaugural National Drowning Report from the Water Safety All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) authored by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), and supported by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF). 

The report highlighted some shocking statistics relating to the number of accidental fatalities in 2022, with a section of the report focusing on child drownings. 

The report showed that in 2022, 35 children died from accidental drowning, the equivalent of more than a classroom of children. Comparing this to the 5-year average, there was a huge 46% increase in the number of accidental fatalities amongst children in 2022.

The report documents that in 2022, 226 people lost their lives to accidental drowning, with 83% of those being male. 

We have already seen a number of people tragically lose their lives to accidental drowning in 2023 and the report looks to provide recommendations for the UK Government to how this can change. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, commented “We know that for anyone to drown is a complete tragedy, but when we see the amount of children drowning increasing by 46% we know that things need to change urgently. 

“Within the report, we have worked with various organisations to put forwards a number of key recommendations for the UK Government to enable all young people to have the opportunity to learn about water safety. 

“We want the UK Government to find innovative solutions to better deliver school swimming; mandate that every child has a class-based water safety lesson at each key stage; and to invest in initiatives to address the increase in child drowning fatalities.

“Drowning, for the large part, is highly preventable. Education and supervision in particular reduce the likelihood of an incident turning into a sudden and devastating tragedy.

“We have been asking the question of the UK Government for many years as to why classroom-based water safety is not on the curriculum.

“We recognise that getting all our children in the water is critical but teaching water safety in the classroom removes existing barriers and gives every child an understanding of safety, risk, and the chance to learn how to stay safe in and around the water, no matter their background.”

National-Drowning-Report-UK-2022Download

“This report is a step in the right direction to give MPs and the UK Government the facts and statistics they need to make a change to prevent losing even more children to accidental drowning. We at RLSS UK will work with our partners and the National Water Safety Forum to endeavor to deliver the necessary change.”

The launch of the report coincided with RLSS UK’s annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign where the charity was able to educate over 1.8million children through its free resources to schools and leisure centres. 

To view the report visit the RLSS UK website.

Inaugural National Drowning Report launched at Westminster

A new report from the Water Safety All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) authored by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and supported by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), was launched this week (21 June) at Westminster.

The launch event, sponsored by TWF (The Wetsuit Factory), was attended by over 20 MPs, including: The Speaker of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle; Lord Addington; Baroness Bottomley; and Rob Butler MP for Aylesbury who gave an account from a member of his constituency Stephanie Williams about her daughter who tragically lost her life last month. 

MPs had a chance to meet with representatives from organisations such as RLSS UK, RNLI, Speedo, Water Babies, RoSPA, the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), the Maritime Coastal Agency (MCA), and key organisations from the aquatics industry who contributed to the report.

Former professional swimmer, and Speedo Ambassador, Michael Gunning was also present and spoke about his experiences within the industry. Water Safety APPG chair Giles Watling opened the launch event to his colleagues at Westminster. 

Giles Watling commented: “In my years as a yachtsman and keen swimmer, I have come to learn the dangers that water can pose. To this end, suitable education on the threats, and how to mitigate the risks, is vital. 

“I am grateful as the Chair of the APPG for Water Safety to have been able to work with RLSS UK and find out more about the work that they are doing in this area to address this. The findings of this report into what is currently being done – and what remains to be done – to save lives and prevent deaths by drowning, is welcome reading. 

“We need to be clear: in the UK, there is clear intent to be on and enjoy the water. 226 people accidentally drowned in 2022, and only through better education about how to stay safe will we bring the number of fatalities down. Everyone should be able to enjoy the water whilst remaining informed on how to avoid tragic incidents, and I am pleased to see that RLSS UK is working to achieve just that.”

The report has provided a real picture of accidental drownings in the UK and uses data from the Water Incident Database (WAID) as well as other data sources to provide the UK Government with evidence backed data on why the approach to drowning prevention needs to be improved. 

The report is also available for members of the public on the RLSS UK website and headline stats include: 

  • 151 accidental fatalities occurred in England, the highest of all the UK nations.
  • Scotland and Wales had the highest accidental fatality rate, more than double that of England.
  • 83% of accidental fatalities were male.
  • There was a 46% increase in the number of accidental fatalities amongst children, compared to the 5-year average.
  • 19 people lost their life across four consecutive days in July as UK temperatures reached record highs.
  • 60% of accidental fatalities occurred inland.
  • In summer 2022, there were 40% more accidental fatalities inland than on the coast.
  • 26% accidental fatalities were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, presented the report findings at the event and highlighted the importance of educating everyone on water safety.  He said: “This report presents the current picture of UK drowning as analysed from 2022, and also identifies trends in relation to data over a five-year period.

“Progress is being made across the UK, however, the report clearly shows that we need enhanced Government involvement to collectively progress to deliver the current targets set by the NWSF, Water Safety Wales (WSW) and Water Safety Scotland (WSS).

“We are grateful to the great number of MPs who attended the event yesterday and we look forward to working with the UK Government to deliver the reports recommendations which include innovative solutions to better deliver school swimming; mandating that every child should have a class-based water safety lesson at each key stage; and investing in initiatives to address the increase in child drowning fatalities. 

“Together with other members of the NWSF, we will continue with our work and commitment to prevent future drownings.” 

To view the report visit www.rlss.org.uk/national-drowning-report-uk.

Lee Cooper, Managing Director at TWF (The Wetsuit Factory) who sponsored the event, said: “At TWF we believe it is crucial for Water Safety Education to reach the classrooms. 

“Increasing Water Safety Education will ensure children from all backgrounds are aware of the dangers for themselves and others.  They should be able to confidently self-rescue allowing them to be safe in, around and on all types of water. 

“TWF are in full support of RLSS UK and Water Safety APPG on their mission to get this into our school curriculum.”

The report was launched in the week of RLSS UK’s annual Drowning Prevention Week, where the charity aims to educate children and their families on water safety to ensure they are able to enjoy water safely ahead of the summer holidays. 

Drowning Prevention Week provides free resources to families to provide education for all.

Visit www.rlss.org.uk/DPW for further information.

Public urged to Respect The Water

Latest statistics show accidental drowning deaths increased again last year, with more dying at inland water than around the coast

There were 277 deaths in the UK from accidental drownings in 2021 across inland and coastal locations. This is an increase of 23 from the previous year. Accidental drownings form part of the total water-related fatalities in the UK – for 2021 the total number of deaths in water was 616, a decrease of 15 from the previous year.

The statistics and figures in the report are from the Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), and the key accidental drowning death insights are as follows:

• Inland open waters, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries continue to be the leading locations with 62 per cent of deaths (N=168).

• Males continue to over represent with 83 per cent of deaths (N=230).

• 40 per cent of people had no intention to enter the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or being swept in by waves (N= 107).

Following this concerning increase in accidental water-related deaths last year, the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) is reminding people of the following lifesaving advice to help people enjoy our waterways and coastlines, particularly as warmer weather arrives, but water temperatures remain dangerously cold. 

  • If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.
  • Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
  • If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.

The collaborating members of the NWSF, come from a wide range of sectors including sports governing bodies, rescue services, charities, regulators, navigation and harbour authorities, local government, utilities and those representing quarry operators.

Later this summer NWSF will be launching its new #RespectTheWater campaign ahead of UN World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th.

The campaign will be promoted nationally to raise awareness of key safety advice and support the Forum’s mission to reduce drowning.

Dawn Whittaker, CEO East Sussex Fire Rescue Service & NWSF Chair said: “The pandemic continued to present considerable challenges at our coastal and inland waterways last year as more people had staycations.

“The #RespectTheWater campaign is designed to help prevent further deaths and injuries in water.

“We urge the public to understand the dangers, to learn the importance of knowing how to float to live, and to call 999 if others are in trouble and if there is a water related emergency.

“We have seen increased numbers participating in water sports and water-based activities and consequently a rise of the number of incidents associated with activities such as Stand-up Paddle boarding and Open Water Swimming. We want people to enjoy the water safely, so we will continue to focus on guidance, education and awareness for the public. 

“We will continue to work together to reduce deaths caused by drowning and water related injuries in the UK, and endeavour to reach our collective goal of halving accidental drownings in the UK by 2026. The global water safety community is onboard with a UN resolution recognising the scale and burden of drowning, calling for urgent international action.”

To view and download the WAID 2021 report visit: 

https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid