Tag: World Drowning Prevention Day

Water Safety Scotland to host free fourth World Drowning Prevention Day event at Loch Lomond Shores

  • Free water safety event returns to Loch Lomond Shores on Friday July 25, 2025
  • Event supported by Scottish Water, RoSPA, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, The Darcey Sunshine Foundation, Police Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, and SSE Renewables

Water Safety Scotland has announced the return of its annual World Drowning Prevention Day event, taking place on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.

The free, fun-filled, family friendly day is open to all and aims to raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention across Scotland with a broad range of interactive and educational activities.

Now in its fourth year, the event comes as new figures show there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland in 2024, Water Safety Scotland is warning that continued vigilance is essential.

The event is supported by Scottish Water, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, the Darcey Sunshine Foundation, West Dunbartonshire Council, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, and SSE Renewables.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn life-saving tips through the Water Safety Code
  • Watch live rescue demonstrations by SFRS and the Scottish Newfoundland Club rescue dogs
  • Try out paddleboarding and canoeing taster sessions with Paddle Scotland and CAG Adventures
  • Visit a range of interactive safety and information stands

Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: “Every life lost to drowning is one too many. Events like World Drowning Prevention Day are vital in spreading awareness and equipping people with the knowledge they need to stay safe around water.

“Our focus remains on promoting the Water Safety Code in a fun, engaging, and educational way.”

The event will run from 11am to 4pm and is open to all ages with families, school kids and community groups especially encouraged to attend.

Community Safety Minister, Siobhian Brown, said: “With the warmer summer weather I understand the appeal of our seas, lochs and rivers which is why water safety is vital and events like Water Safety Scotland’s Water Safety Open Day are an important way of raising awareness of the dangers of our waterways, how to enjoy them safely and what to do in an emergency.

“Our Water Safety Action Plan includes a range of key steps agreed with partners, to further mitigate risks including better signage, lesson plans for pupils and improved training. I encourage everyone to know and follow the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers, Stay Together, Stay Close and call 999 in an emergency.

“My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those affected by the recent water-related tragedies.”

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

“We’re delighted to be involved in this event again this year, it provides a valuable opportunity for us to have water-safety conversations with people to build the vital knowledge and skills to help people stay safer in, on and around water.

“With Scotland’s abundance of coastlines, lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it’s absolutely vital that everyone has the opportunity to learn basic water safety skills.”

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said: “Alongside our partner agencies, we welcome the reduction in water-related deaths in 2024, but we cannot overstate the importance of continued vigilance, especially as the weather improves over the summer months.

“Even on the warmest days, rivers and lochs in the National Park remain cold enough to trigger Cold Water Shock, and hidden hazards and unexpected depths can catch out even strong swimmers.

“That’s why planning ahead is so important and why we’re so pleased to welcome World Drowning Prevention Day event back to the National Park this summer, reflecting our year-round partnership with Water Safety Scotland to deliver a consistent, collaborative approach to policy and public engagement.

“We look forward to speaking with members of the public on the day about the importance of following the Loch Lomond Byelaws and Water Safety Code – offering advice and support on how these measures are there to help prevent accidents before they happen. 

“We want everyone to respect the water and enjoy the National Park this summer, but do it safely: respect the byelaws, follow the simple, life‑saving advice (Float to live), and look out for one another.”

For more information, visit: www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk

Key safety advice highlighted on World Drowning Prevention Day

The importance of water safety awareness has been stressed by Community Safety Minister Ash Regan to mark today’s World Drowning Prevention Day.

At an event at the Kelpies, Falkirk, Ms Regan discussed preparedness and witnessed water safety demonstrations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and first responders. The Minister also watched a demonstration by Newfoundland dogs specially trained for water rescue.

Support for the global prevention day – which will see St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh lit up blue with other world landmarks – follows the launch of a collaborative action plan to help prevent people from drowning in Scotland.

Ms Regan said, with Scottish schools closed for summer, it is vitally important everyone heeds crucial water safety advice.

She said: “I welcome the opportunity to support the World Health Organisation’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. 

“But it’s vitally important people exercise extreme caution if venturing into open water and that they heed all of the safety advice. 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 our sympathies remain with everyone affected by the tragedy of a water fatality.

“We work closely with Water Safety Scotland (WSS) and other partners, including local councils, Police Scotland, RoSPA, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to implement and support initiatives that can help raise awareness of the hazards around water and reduce deaths from accidental drowning.

“I have witnessed today work to prevent water tragedies from occurring but this is never a substitute for adhering to safety advice when in and around cold water.”

In 2022/23 the Scottish Government is providing RoSPA with an additional £60,000, specifically to help strengthen the focus on water safety and their support for Water Safety Scotland.

Key water safety advice

  • If you plan to get into water to cool down during hot weather, be responsible, know the risks and choose a supervised site such as a beach, lido or swimming pool.
  • Reservoirs, rivers, lochs and unsupervised beaches might be tempting for a quick cool down but there are hidden and potentially fatal dangers including strong currents and the risk of cold water shock. Visit Ready Scotland and Water Safety Scotland for more information.
  • The depth of water could be hiding unseen dangers – hidden ledges or strong currents. And if you are at the coast, think carefully about rip currents, offshore winds and the tide.
  • It is better to go near the water with a family member or friend.
  • Talk to your children to help them understand the risks and how to make safe choices around water.
  • Avoid open water where there are blue-green algae warning notices or if it looks green, blue-green or greenish-brown on the surface.
  • And if you see someone in trouble, do not enter the water. Look for a life ring and call 999.

Water Safety Scotland shows support for World Drowning Prevention Day

Members of Water Safety Scotland have welcomed the first World Drowning Prevention Day which will be held annually on July 25, following  and follows the passing of a Global Resolution on Drowning Prevention by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in April 2021.

The Scottish Government has praised the new water safety initiative. Ash Denham MSP, the Minister for Community Safety, said: “World Drowning Prevention Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness about water safety issues and I would like to thank Water Safety Scotland and RoSPA for their continued dedication and hard work.

“The risk of drowning is often overlooked and it is important that people are aware of the dangers so they can enjoy Scotland’s beautiful inland and coastal waters safely and responsibly.”

The historic UN resolution invites member states to take action to prevent drowning fatalities in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2014 recommendation report and subsequent guidance.

Recent estimates from WHO show that globally, approximately 236,000 people drown every year and that drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and young people aged 1–24-years.

Data from the Water Incident Database (WAID) shows that in Scotland, on average there are 97 water-related fatalities each year. The most recent statistics from 2020 revealed that there were 99 water-related fatalities with 39 due to accidental drowning.*

WHO has coordinated preparations for World Drowning Prevention Day and has invited stakeholders across the world to mark the occasion. Water Safety Scotland fully supports the UN Global Resolution and World Drowning Prevention Day**

Michael Avril, Chair of Water Safety Scotland, said: “Water Safety Scotland is proud to support World Drowning Prevention Day and is looking forward to continuing to work with partners in Scotland to prevent future drowning tragedies.

“Scotland carries a disproportionate burden; the accidental drowning rate is almost double the UK’s average when the relative population is taken into account.

“We want people to enjoy Scotland’s waterways in as safe away as possible and recommend that people follow Scotland’s Water Safety Code in order to help themselves and others stay safe around water.

“The key pieces of advice from the code are to: 

  • Stop and think – spot the dangers
  • Stay together, stay close
  • Know what to do in an emergency.

“Please #RespectTheWater.”

Organisations across Scotland will be participating in a social media campaign highlighting their support for the day and for Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy.

Scottish Canals are supporting WHO’s suggestions of “Going Blue for World Drowning Prevention Day”.

The Kelpies, 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures in Falkirk, will be lit up blue on the evening of the July 25 to mark the occasion and show their support as members of Water Safety Scotland and for World Drowning Prevention Day.

Richard Millar, Scottish Canals’ Chief Operating Officer, said: “Scotland’s canals are vibrant green and blue spaces for all to enjoy and connect with nature, whether you are taking to the towpaths by boot or bike, or enjoying the canal by boat or paddle sport.

“It is important that no matter how you choose to enjoy the waterways, that all users are aware of the dangers that canals, reservoirs, and any body of open water can pose. Scottish Canals is proud to be supporting World Drowning Prevention Day and will continue to champion safety messaging from partners and our own #CanalCareful safety campaign to ensure canal users are equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves and others safe.”

Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy is currently in its fourth year, with a review set to be published next spring along with a water safety conference that will be organised in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).