Staying safe in the water this summer

Sunderland City Council is supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK's (RLSS) annual Drowning Prevention Week which runs until 20 June, with the aim of the raising awareness of water safety and reducing the risk of accidental drowning.

Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Heritage, said: "We're proud to be supporting Drowning Prevention Week.

"We want all our residents and visitors to be able to enjoy our beautiful beaches and coastline as safely as possible. So, we'd encourage everyone to take the time to look at the really helpful advice on offer from water safety organisations like the RLSS and the RNLI to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe in, on and around the water this summer."

"This includes following the advice to always choose a beach which has lifeguards on, and if you're planning on swimming, to swim between the red and yellow flags, as this is the safest option."

The RNLI's lifeguard service is in operation on Sunderland's Roker, Seaburn and Cat and Dog beaches every day from 10am to 6pm, until Sunday 6 September.

In the wake of a number of tragic drowning deaths across the country in the recent hot weather in May, the RLSS is urging people to download their free accessible online resources and to have water safety conversations with children now to help them to stay safe in and around water this summer and beyond.

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety and Education at RLSS, said: "We urge parents, carers, teachers and community providers to use RLSS' free accessible water safety resources to educate children and teens with critical information this June and ensure 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 across the UK to prevent tragedies over the summer period. We can all contribute to creating communities free from drowning."

The RLSS UK hopes that by raising awareness, the campaign will see a reduction in the number of people losing their lives to accidental drowning every year. On average of 328 people in the UK and Ireland sadly lose their lives this way every year.

This year Drowning Prevention Week is expanding to reach 13-17 year olds as recent data shows that this age group is more at risk of drowning  

It is also urging everyone to follow its Water Code: 

• Stop and Think: Look for the dangers. Always read local signs and advice
• Stay Together: When around the water always go with friends and family and swim at a lifeguarded venue
• Call 999: in an emergency phone 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the coastguard if at the coast. Don't enter the water to rescue
• Float:  If you do fall in or become tired - stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to someone who has fallen in

For more water safety tips and advice from the RLSS, see: www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-information 

For useful advice from the RNLI, including its Float to Live advice on what to do if you get into difficulty in the water, see:  http://www.rnli.org/safety

For advice on how to help someone in trouble in water safely, without entering the water yourself see: Phone Float Throw - Respect The Water