New UK drowning prevention strategy launches to prevent water deaths

Accidental drowning remains a significant public health challenge across the UK, and a new national strategy aims to strengthen efforts to prevent future tragedies.

Launched on World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July), the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy brings together more than 130 organisations from across the water safety sector.

Supported by charities, educators, academics, search and rescue organisations, campaigners and families affected by drowning, the strategy sets out a coordinated approach to reducing accidental drowning deaths and improving water safety awareness nationwide.

The initiative has been published by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), a collaborative network of the UK’s leading experts in drowning prevention, hosted by RoSPA, alongside dedicated strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Why the new strategy matters

Recent incidents have highlighted the ongoing risks associated with water-related activities, particularly during periods of warm weather.

In the week between 24 and 31 May alone, 19 people lost their lives in accidental water-related fatalities, many of them children and teenagers.

Data from the Water Incident Database (WAID) shows that 26 per cent of accidental drowning deaths recorded between 2020 and 2024 involved young people aged between 10 and 29.

The UK Drowning Prevention Strategy provides a framework for improving safety in, on and around water through a range of coordinated actions.

Key priorities include:

• Strengthening water safety education
• Increasing public awareness of water-related risks
• Delivering targeted safety campaigns
• Improving collaboration between organisations
• Responding to emerging challenges linked to climate change and extreme weather
• Supporting research and evidence-based interventions.

Carlene McAvoy, RoSPA's Head of Policy and Secretariat for the National Water Safety Forum, said: "RoSPA is proud to have supported the development of this important UK-wide strategy, alongside the four complementary national strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the collaborative process behind them. 

"For decades, RoSPA has worked to prevent serious accidents and save lives through evidence-based policy, education and advocacy. Its work supporting the National Water Safety Forum demonstrates the power of partnership, bringing together organisations from across the UK to address complex safety challenges that no single organisation can solve alone.

"As the new strategies are implemented, RoSPA will continue working with partners across the UK to support national action, promote water safety awareness and help reduce the number of lives lost to drowning."

The strategy can be found at: https://nationalwatersafety.org.uk/strategy