Latest news with #WaterSafetyCode
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
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. READ MORE: '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."
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Young men most likely to drown despite drop in water-related deaths
While the overall number of water-related fatalities fell to 78 in 2024, the lowest level since 2018, recent statistics from 2024 suggest that young men are disproportionately affected. The Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) dashboard also provides more specific and in-depth live data, which is updated monthly. According to the published WAID figures, of the 33 accidental deaths, over half (55 per cent) occurred in coastal waters - a shift from the historical trend of inland waterway incidents. Recreational activities were involved in 46% of these fatalities, and April emerged as the deadliest month. READ MORE: Encouragingly, overall drownings and accidental drownings are at their lowest levels in Scotland, the accidental fatality rate dropped to 0.60 per 100,000 people, continuing a downward trend. Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland and RoSPA's Senior Policy Manager, said: 'This year's figures show real progress; water-related fatalities in Scotland are at their lowest levels. However, this is not a time for complacency, as every water-related fatality is a tragedy. Last year's data show that young men were the most affected, with coastal waters currently the most common location for deaths, so we must continue to focus our efforts to address these concerns with targeted safety messages and interventions. "Fortunately, the introduction of the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) in May 2023 has helped to improve the quality and clarity of fatality data, reducing the number of 'not recorded' outcomes and has provided deeper insights into incident causes, which we will continue to use to help identify risk factors now and in the future.' Community Safety Minister Siobhain Brown said: 'My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends who have lost a loved one in a drowning accident. "I encourage everyone to protect themselves and others when in and around the water and to be aware that water temperature can vary drastically, as can currents and tides. It's well worth learning the Water Safety Code and using the resources of Water Safety Scotland so people can stay safe and prevent accidents in our waters.'
South Wales Argus
10-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Water Safety Wales' resources for primary schoolchildren
In a bid to lower the figure, Water Safety Wales (WSW) has launched bilingual, interactive educational resources for primary school children. The resources, aimed at children aged three to 11, were introduced at Cardiff Metropolitan University Cyncoed Campus. They include presentations, videos, and other interactive materials, all accessible for free via the Hwb platform. Sarah Wathan, headteacher of St Philip Evans RC Primary School, said: "We are excited to be the first school to implement these resources. "Our students' safety is our top priority, and these materials will play a vital role in their education." The resources reinforce the Water Safety Code, which includes lifesaving tips such as assessing the safety of swimming spots, staying together, floating to live if in trouble, and calling 999 if someone else is in trouble. Hanna Guise, Swim Wales' Learn to Swim manager and chair of the WSW Education Subgroup, said: "Being water safe and competent is essential for all children. "These resources will help instil these important skills from a young age." WSW encourages headteachers across Wales to adopt these resources in their schools and urges parents to advocate for their use to ensure essential water safety education for their children.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Water Safety Wales launch resources to tackle drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children in Wales, with 20 young people having drowned between 2021 and 2023. The resources, aimed at children aged 3 to 11, include presentations, videos, and interactive materials, all of which are accessible for free via the Hwb platform. The resources are designed to be integrated into the Curriculum for Wales. Sarah Wathan, headteacher of St Philip Evans RC Primary School, said: "We are excited to be the first school to implement these resources. "Our students' safety is our top priority, and these materials will play a vital role in their education." The resources emphasise the Water Safety Code, which includes four lifesaving tips: stop and think, stay together, float, and call 999. Sophie Dearborn Bloom from Dŵr Cymru said: "Delivering these sessions has been a really rewarding experience. "It was fantastic to see the children so engaged and really connecting with the water safety messages – a clear sign of the initiative's impact." WSW encourages all schools to adopt these resources to ensure children receive essential water safety education.
