Scottish Water urging people to stay safe around reservoirs
They also show that, in the past five years, there have been 244 accidental drownings in Scotland, including 20 children.
The call from Scottish Water follows some anti-social and dangerous behaviour by groups of young people recently at reservoirs across the country. This has included irresponsibly managed campfires, vandalism, littering and diving from water towers which are working parts of reservoirs.
Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's chief operating officer, said: 'While people should enjoy any good weather we have this summer and take pleasure around beautiful lochs, reservoirs, rivers and beaches, it's absolutely vital they stay safe at all times and behave responsibly.
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'As a number of tragic deaths in Scotland in recent years have shown, safety is a serious issue in all bodies of water. At reservoirs, while the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers. We need to ensure everyone is aware of these hazards. We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking everyone to act responsibly around reservoirs and other watercourses.'
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the leading water safety education charity, is backing Scottish Water's advice and is launching its annual national Drowning Prevention Week campaign from June 14 to 21.
Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: 'In the last five years, only 39% of those who accidentally drowned in Scotland intended to be in the water, highlighting how easy it is to unexpectedly get into trouble.'
With 42% of Scottish accidental drowning occurring between May and August, RLSS UK's Drowning Prevention Week is timed to ensure families, educators and leisure operators across Scotland have the opportunity to discuss water safety with children and teenagers, just ahead of the school summer holidays.
Mr Croxall added: 'With the summer holidays coming and families enjoying staycations across popular destinations in Scotland, it is even more vital that everyone has a strong understanding of what to do if you find yourself or someone else in trouble in the water.
"Bringing water safety to the forefront of everyone's mind, Drowning Prevention Week equips people with the appropriate skills and knowledge to be summer ready when it comes to being safe in and around water.'
Also supporting Scottish Water's call, Carlene McAvoy, Senior Policy Manager, at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: 'Every drowning is a heartbreaking and preventable loss that deeply affects families and communities across Scotland. As summer approaches and more people spend time near water, we're encouraging everyone to take a moment to remember the Water Safety Code: Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers; Stay Together, Stay Close; and In an Emergency, Call 999.
'These simple steps can genuinely save lives. Water Safety Scotland remains committed to supporting communities and partners with free educational resources and clear, consistent messaging—because keeping people safe around water is something we all have a role in."
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