From 13-20 June, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to help children and their families enjoy water safely. 

For over a decade, RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week has aimed to equip educators, teachers, parents, and carers of children with vital water safety knowledge ahead of the summer months, when drownings are most likely to occur.

Over the last five years, 3,615 people have tragically drowned in the UK and Ireland¹. This year, Drowning Prevention Week is expanding to reach 13-17-year-olds, as recent data reveals that drowning deaths among this age group have increased an alarming 67% between 2020-2022 and 2023-2025². 

Knowing how to swim is a great skill - but it is not enough to stay safe in the water. True competency and confidence in and around water require knowledge of the Water Safety Code, including always staying together, stopping to think about and assess the dangers before getting into the water, and understanding what to do in an emergency.
 

Drowning is preventable. In addition to sharing water safety messages to keep individuals safe, RLSS UK is campaigning for systemic drowning prevention by advocating for lifeguards and lifesavers, training bystanders, and developing unified water safety policies with the Government.

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety and Education at RLSS UK, said: “We urge everyone to use RLSS UK’s free, accessible water safety resources to educate children and teens with critical information this June, to make sure everyone has a safe summer. Whilst a foundation of water safety will be included in England’s school curriculum from September, this vital information needs to be taught now, ahead of the summer period, and across the entire UK and Ireland to prevent tragedies. We can all contribute to creating communities free from drowning.”

Prevention Delivery Manager Vikki Thomas from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are proud to support the RLSS UK’s campaign and encourage everyone to use and share their lesson plans, resources, and guidance during Drowning Prevention Week and beyond.”

Visit RLSS UK’s website now to access free water safety resources for children, parents, carers and educators: https://www.rlss.org.uk/dpw. Share these tools with your community and help create a safer summer for every one.