RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
July 17, 2003
DROWNING WARNING TO FAMILIES AS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS BEGIN
Following a spate of drownings in the last few days, RoSPA today issued water safety warnings to people preparing to head off on holiday at home and abroad.
The school holidays start in many areas this weekend and the Society is worried there will be more tragedies if people do not follow basic safety advice.
More than 400 people die in accidental drownings in the UK each year. Another 60 UK nationals drown abroad - about eight of those are children, most of whom die in swimming pools in and around the Mediterranean.
As well as swimming pool deaths, there have been tragedies overseas swimming off dangerous beaches, while carrying out water sports and in flooded rivers.
Some hotel pools abroad may not be life-guarded. Keep an eye on children at all times when they are near water. In a crowded pool a child can go to the bottom and may not be spotted among the general din. Parents should walk around in the pool as soon as they arrive so that they can check depth markings are accurate and there are no other hazards. They should always read the safety signs at the poolside and do what they say.
If people hire a property with a swimming pool and have small children, they will have to act as lifeguards 24-hours-a-day.
The most common drowning accidents in this country are in inland open waters such as rivers, lakes, streams and canals. Many of these are traditional swimming spots, but that does not mean they are safe. RoSPA’s advice is to swim only at a properly supervised swimming pool or beach.
Whether at home or abroad, always seek local advice about tides and other potential hazards. Only swim at life-guarded beaches and never enter the water when the red flags are flying.
Accidents often happen to children when visiting friends and relatives. Eighty-per-cent of the drownings in garden ponds and pools happen in other people’s gardens. Before letting children out to play, check if there is a water feature outside. If children are playing with a paddling pool, always empty it out at the end of the day so there is no chance of them returning to the water when adults are not there. At least five children have already drowned in garden ponds in the UK this year.
RoSPA is working with the European Child Safety Alliance - which is co-ordinating a water safety and drowning prevention campaign in Europe - to raise awareness of the problem at home and abroad.
