RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
September 26, 2002
FOOT AND MOUTH EPIDEMIC REDUCED DROWNINGS
The number of accidental drownings in the UK has fallen for the second year running, from 448 in 2000 to 426 in 2001, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed today. The foot and mouth outbreak, which restricted access to the countryside throughout the summer, is believed to be the main factor behind the five per cent reduction.
Deaths among the under-15s remained static at 40. There was also no increase in the eight under-fives who drowned in gardens, despite the growing popularity of garden ponds and water features.
The news comes on the eve of RoSPA’s national water safety congress Strategy for Success – Water Safety Solutions, sponsored by BSPF(The British Swimming Pool Federation).
The biggest reduction - from 299 to 264 - was in drownings in inland open waters, such as lakes, rivers and canals. They remain the major problem, with people still ignoring advice only to swim at properly supervised swimming pools and beaches. And the fall is thought to be mainly as a result of the foot and mouth epidemic.
Peter Cornall, RoSPA Water Safety Manager, said: “The outbreak restricted access to the countryside at the time when we expect to see most drownings at inland water sites. It will be interesting to see if the improvement has been maintained when this year’s figures are finalised because there were a number of high profile incidents this summer.”
He said questions were being raised about supervision and the safety measures being taken at all types of water. Unfortunately, many water site operators were still confused about their responsibilities and did not even carry out risk assessments.
The RoSPA conference at the Plymouth Hoe Moathouse Hotel on Monday and Tuesday (Sept 30-Oct 1) will provide the answers to many of the problems by exploring best practice in management and site operation, along with how water safety will be regulated in future.
Water safety professionals dealing with inland and coastal sites and swimming pools will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and play their part in preventing drownings.
Other statistics: Drownings in swimming pools fell from 13 to 10. Deaths at sea and along the coast dropped from 98 to 79, but there was an increase in drownings in the home from 29 to 43, mainly involving elderly people.
