Tag: Water Safety Open Day

Tomorrow: Water Safety Open Day

Looking for an action-packed day out for the whole family? Join us at Scotland’s only Water Safety Open Day, Tuesday 25th July at the Helix in Falkirk!

Water Safety Scotland, in collaboration with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Scottish Water, Falkirk Council, Scottish Canals, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), is hosting a Water Safety Open Day in support of the third World Drowning Prevention Day. The event takes place at Helix Park, Falkirk on July 25, 2023, between 11am – 4pm and is free to attend.

The theme of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, facilitated by The World Health Organization (WHO), builds on last year’s “Do one thing” for drowning prevention and suggests a series of calls to action, namely “Do one thing, improve one thing, ask one thing” to prevent drowning.

At the Water Safety Scotland event, members of the public are invited to visit information and activity stands and watch and participate in water rescue demonstrations.

A fun programme of activities includes free facepainting, beat the goalie, cold water challenge, as well as throwline and bandaging challenges. There will be the chance to win some prizes on the day too.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of safety in and around water and promote the water safety code and other work done by WSS. This includes water safety school resources, local approaches to water safety through Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) groups and enhanced data capture in Scotland through the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR).

Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said: “I welcome the opportunity to support the UN’s World Drowning Prevention Day. We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and surrounded by waterways that can appear tempting during hot weather so this family friendly event is vital to provide key safety messages to people.

“It is critically important people exercise extreme caution if venturing into open water and everyone heed all the safety advice as entering any waterway has an element of risk and can have tragic consequences.

“The Scottish Government takes the issue of water safety very seriously and we are committed to continuing to work closely with all relevant organisations to help reduce harm and raise awareness around this vital issue.”

Carlene McAvoy, Secretariat and Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: “Supporting World Drowning Prevention Day through this public event is extremely important given the fact that on average 96 people drown in Scotland each year.

“If we can reach many people in Scotland with our water safety guidance through events such as the water safety open day, we can help to reduce the number of drownings in Scotland.

“Our event is underpinned by our key message – the Water Safety Code. We want to provide life-saving information and advice in a fun and memorable way to help people in Scotland have a positive and safe experience in and around water.”  

The Water Safety Open Day is free and open to all, and will be hosted at Helix Park, Falkirk on Monday 25 July 2023 – 11am – 4pm.

Come along, have some fun & learn all things #WaterSafety!

#DrowningPreventionDay

More info: watersafetyscotland.org.uk/about/water-safety-open-day/

Water Safety Scotland urges the public to be safe around water

Water Safety Scotland (WSS) is urging the public to stay safe around Scotland’s waterways during the current heatwave.

As temperatures continue to stay high, WSS is calling on people to follow the Water Safety Code. While it can be tempting to enter the water in warmer weather, sudden immersion can lead to Cold Water Shock (CWS).

CWS can affect even the strongest swimmers as it overwhelms the ability to breathe and to swim, which can lead to drowning. 

With more hot weather on the way, it is important to learn how to keep safe around water, follow local safety guidance and to avoid alcohol on and near waterways.

Last year, 58 people sadly lost their lives to accidental drowning in Scotland; the majority of which were in inland open waterways such as rivers, canals and lochs (67 per cent).

To help reduce drowning fatalities, Water Safety Scotland is highlighting the Water Safety Code and the new UK campaign, Respect the Water (which is due for release on July 25, 2022).

The Water Safety Code is an easy-to-remember three-step code, and provides some life-saving advice that aims to help keep you and those you are with safe when near open water:

  • Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers
  • Stay Together, Stay Safe
  • In an Emergency, Call 999.

Later on in the month, Water Safety Scotland will be hosting a free Water Safety Open Day at Helix Park, Falkirk to support the second annual World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, 2022, between 11am – 3pm. 

At the event, the local communities around Scotland are invited to visit information and activity stands, and watch various demonstrations. The Helix Park Lagoon will offer opportunities for the public to watch the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Police rescue capabilities, as well as Newfoundland rescue dogs in action and other demonstrations.

A spokesperson for Water Safety Scotland said: “It is important in the hot weather to resist the temptation to enter cold water. Although the air temperature is hot, waterways in Scotland are very cold and entering them can lead to Cold Water Shock.

“Water Safety Scotland’s key message is to follow the Water Safety Code. This code provides lifesaving information and we urge the public to learn the code and teach their families and friends about it.”

The Water Safety Code can be accessed online here: 

https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/information/water-safety-code/