Water Safety Advice Kids | Drowning Prevention Week

Activities & Days Out / 19 June, 2024 / Ellie Thompson

It’s summer time – the season of sun, sand, and sea. We’ve partnered with RLSS and Aquatots to provide important water safety advice for kids in support of Drowning Prevention Week.

As the summer approaches and families plan trips to the beach or pool, it’s crucial to consider safety measures when near water.

Drowning Prevention Week

Statistics from RLSS UK reveal that over 400 people die annually in the UK and Ireland due to accidental drowning. The organization believes that most of these incidents are preventable.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, emphasizes the importance of water safety, especially during the summer months when fatalities are most common.

RLSS UK offers free educational resources on their website and conducts the annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign to educate individuals on water safety.

Water Safety Code

Lee Heard highlights the Water Safety Code, emphasizing the importance of assessing surroundings, staying together, calling for help in emergencies, and floating to stay safe in water.

Teaching your child to swim

Aquatots provides swimming lessons for children, focusing on water confidence, safety skills, and basic rescue techniques.

It is essential for children to learn swimming skills, with the national curriculum stating that they should be able to swim 25 meters unaided before leaving primary school.

Water safety skills for kids

Aquatots teaches essential water safety skills such as holding on to the side, back floating, safe water entry, and basic rescue methods.

Tips for staying safe around water

Keeping safe at home

• Secure fences around water features in the garden.
• Empty paddling pools after use.
• Supervise children constantly around water.

Keeping safe on holiday

Check for trained lifeguards at beaches and swimming pools during holidays.

Keeping warm

Consider using a wetsuit for children in cooler pool environments to retain body heat.

Watch out for signs your little one is cold

Be aware of signs such as blue lips, mottled skin, and shivering indicating coldness.

Keeping safe at the beach

• Supervise children closely and avoid hazardous areas.
• Observe water safety signs and avoid using inflatables in open water.

Keeping safe at the pool

• Supervise young children and be aware of the pool depth.
• Avoid diving into shallow water and swimming after consuming alcohol.

Drowning Prevention Week

Join the Drowning Prevention Week campaign from 15th-22nd June to access free resources here.