RLSS UK DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK

Keep yourself and your family water safe

Drowning accidents destroy families and devastate whole communities.  

More than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year and thousands more suffer injury, sometimes life changing, when they survive drowning.

More than half of these never had any intention of being in the water when they drowned, but fell in whilst walking or running.

This year, drowning prevention charity - The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is ramping up its Drowning Prevention Week campaign activity in an increased effort to cut down the number of drowning incidences and near misses that happen very year. 

Drowning Prevention Week - supported by the Department for Education, RNLI and Swim England - aims to promote water safety education to everyone in the country through organised activities, the press and social media.

As part of the campaign, this year running from 14 to 24 June, the RLSS UK has produced a host of free and fun and interactive resources which can be downloaded by registering an interest at www.rlss.org.uk/dpw.

RLSS UK Interim CEO Rick Tazzini said: “Most people are surprised to learn that you are more likely to die from drowning than you are from being hit by a car or in a fire. We believe that the majority of drowning incidents can be prevented and urge as many people as possible to take advantage of the campaign, learning what could be potentially lifesaving skills”

 You can stay safe near water by learning simple precautions:

·     Stop and think - Look for dangers whenever you are near water. Read all signs near water and only swim
where there are lifeguards

·     Stay together - Never swim alone. Always go with family or friends

·     In an emergency, shout for help and phone 999 or 112. 

·     If you do fall in, float or swim on your back

 For more information or to register your interest visit  www.rlss.org.uk/dpw or contact marketing@dpw.org.uk.