In 2022, 266 lives were lost to accidental drowning in the UK. These deaths are preventable tragedies, and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is joining the call for people to stay safe in and around water.
The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC’s) Be Water Aware campaign runs from 22-28 April 2024. Its aim is to raise awareness about the risk of accidental drowning and providing safety advice ahead of the warmer months.
Statistics reveal 40% of people who accidentally drowned had no intention of entering the water. Slips trips and falls were often the cause of these accidents.
Many people also underestimate the dangers of jumping into water or taking a dip to cool off especially those with limited experience of outdoor swimming. Unseen hazards and cold water shock can mean even strong swimmers get into trouble.
Males account for 87% of these accidental fatalities, 60% of which are in inland waters such as rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
Simple tips to help stay safe include:
- Stick to proper pathways and stay clear of the water’s edge.
- Don’t enter the water after drinking alcohol.
- Walk a safe route home after drinking, with friends and away from water.
- Cold water shock can kill, walking into the water rather than jumping in can help reduce the risk.
As the statistics show, many people don’t expect their time near water to turn into an emergency, so knowing what to do if you or someone else is in trouble in the water is lifesaving advice.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer and Drowning Prevention Lead for NFCC, Dawn Whittaker, said: “Be Water Aware is about helping people spend time in and around water safely.
“We encourage people to reduce their risk of drowning by making safe choices around water and to know what to do if an emergency should happen.
“Simple advice to ‘Call, tell, throw’ and ‘Float to Live’ are lifesaving messages which fire services share to help reduce these preventable deaths and the devasting impact they have on families and communities.”
Other activities this week include focusing on Be Water Aware during our fire cadet sessions and please keep an eye on our social media pages for valuable information and safety advice, as well as a competition to encourage people to be water aware.
We would also like to thank Robbie Jones for allowing us to share his story again during this week, following the launch, in January, of a powerful film about the devastating impact of the loss of his father to drowning. Robbie will be working with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service community engagement team in the coming months visiting schools, sharing his story and delivering crucial messages on water safety.
You can watch the video here: Robbie's Story (youtube.com)
Competition:
We are giving away a Swim Secure Window Dry Bag and Swim Secure Bubble Swim Hat to one lucky winner!
How to take part:
- Follow us on social media to find the link to the competition web page.
- Take note and remember the important water safety advice we are sharing.
- Head to the web page, which will be advertised on social media, to submit an answer to a multiple choice question with your email address before midnight on Sunday 28 April.
- The winner, with a correct answer, will be drawn and contacted w/c 29th April.
- Full terms and conditions will be shared on the competition page.
We want people to enjoy being in and around the water but please always follow safety advice.
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: www.nfcc.org.uk/bewateraware and look out for #BeWaterAware on social media.