As the weather continues to improve, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is joining other fire services across the UK, urging people to stay safe when spending time in and around water.
The call comes as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign which runs from 28th April to 4th May 2025.
According to latest figures from the National Water Safety Forum’s (NWSF) Water Incident Database, in 2023, 273 people in the UK lost their lives to accidental drowning. Around 40 per cent of those people had no intention of entering the water, with these drownings often as result of slips, trips, and falls.
NFCC is urging people to be safe in and around the water, following simple safety advice to reduce these preventable deaths, the majority of which occur in inland waters such as rivers and canals.
We want people to reduce their risk of drowning by making safe choices around water and to know what to do should an emergency happen.
Safety tips:
- Stick to proper pathways and stay clear of the water’s edge.
- Don’t enter the water after drinking alcohol – take a look at RLSS safety advice.
- Walk a safe route home, with friends, away from water.
- Even on a warm day, cold water shock can kill. Walking into the water rather than jumping in can help reduce the risk.
Call Tell Throw:
If someone is in trouble in the water, the best way to help is by staying calm, staying on land, and remember Call, Tell, Throw:
- Call 999 for the emergency services
- Tell the struggling person to float on their back
- Throw them something that floats.
Float to Live:
Remember and share RNLI Float to live advice if you get into trouble in the water:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Move your hands to help you stay afloat
- Spread your arms and legs to improve stability
Useful links:
For more water safety advice visit Water Safety & Drowning Prevention ¦ East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (esfrs.org)
For more information about the ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign please visit: Be Water Aware 2025: Staying Safe Around Water Still as Crucial as Ever - NFCC and Be Water Aware - NFCC.
Remember to look out and share more #BeWaterAware safety messages on social media.
