How you can help your family stay safe near open water this summer

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) fears that enforced pool closures during the pandemic may have left many young people lacking the skills needed to swim or know what to do if they get into trouble in the water.

The charity also fears that with lockdown restrictions lifting, families will flock to beaches and inland water locations this summer without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk. 

Sunderland City Council is backing RLSS UK's Drowning Prevention Week 2021 from 19 -26 June, which this year is focusing on how to have fun and stay safe near water. Drowning Prevention Week aims to equip everybody across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge, to make the right decisions about water safety.

Over 400 people accidentally drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more suffer injuries, some of which are life-changing, when they survive drowning.

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "We're very proud to be supporting this year's Drowning Prevention Week.  It's vitally important for children to know how to stay safe near water, so I'd urge all parents to have a look at some of the fantastic free water safety resources on RLSS UK's website so that they can enjoy water safely this summer."

"Parents may also want to consider signing up their children, and themselves, for one of the one-to-one swimming crash courses Everyone Active runs at the city's swimming pools during school holidays. These generally last four or five days and are aimed at swimmers of all ages, regardless of their swimming skills. They can really help in terms of working on any weak spots as well as helping develop strokes and techniques."

Nationally Statistics (based on five-year average totals) show 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
- 1 in 3 of those surveyed said their swimming abilities limited the activities they could do
- Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children and the risk of drowning increases 
 from the age of 15
- More than 46% never intended to be in water
- 62.4% of accidental drowning happen in inland water
- Over 80% of those who drown accidently, are male

Among lots of useful advice on its website, the RLSS advises people to:

- Always find a lifeguarded swimming site
- Look out for currents which are often stronger then they look.
- If you do get caught in a riptide don't swim against it - swim with the current and call for help
- Don't go too far - always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it
- Watch out for cold water shock. Open water is often much colder than it looks. Cold water can affect your ability to swim and rescue yourself if you get into difficulties
- Take a friend with you when you go swimming so that if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help
- When running and walking next to open water, steer well clear of the edges, they are often unstable
- Never go into the water to rescue a dogs - dogs are almost always able to get out. Don't put yourself at risk
- Always let someone know where you're going - take your mobile phone
- If you do fall into the water stay calm float on your back and call for help

For more safety tips and advice visit: https://www.rlss.org.uk/ follow on Twitter - @RLSSUK; visit Facebook page - facebook.com/RLSSUK or call - 0300 323 0096.

To find out more about Everyone Active's swimming crash courses which will be running at Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre and Washington Leisure Centre this summer, keep an eye on the leisure centre websites or phone the centres directly. Information is also available at www.everyoneactive.com.