Do your children know how to stay safe around water?

Did you know that over 55% of parents surveyed said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water?

With figures indicating that around 25% of primary school pupils leave school unable to swim, there is a real fear that as a result of the pandemic many more children will lack the ability or confidence to swim or self-rescue, should they find themselves in difficulty in the water.

At Wave, we are supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, running from 18-25 June 2022, and urging our members to access the charity’s free online resources to ensure their children have the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.

With many of us opting for staycations once again this year, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), fears that families will flock to beaches and inland water locations this summer, without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk. Or for those of us who will be venturing abroad for their summer holiday, they may find themselves using non-lifeguarded pools and therefore be at risk if they do not have the necessary water safety skills.

As children (especially boys) enter their late teens, they become increasingly more likely to take risks, with more than 402 people accidentally drowning every year.

And for every drowning death that occurs, there are more than 10 near-drownings, with many of these leading to life-changing injuries.

For more information, and to find out how you can make sure your family enjoys water safely this summer: www.rlss.org.uk.