New UK Drowning Prevention Strategy launched

The National Water Safety Forum has published a new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy to prevent accidental drownings, launched in support of World Drowning Prevention Day, which takes place on Saturday 25 July¹. The strategy is backed by more than 130 charities, search and rescue organisations, researchers and campaigners, and is being launched alongside targeted drowning prevention strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland¹. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), a member of the forum, announced the launch¹.

Across the four nations, the strategy's targets include strengthening water safety education, increasing public awareness of the risks of water through water safety campaigns, and responding to new risks presented by climate change and extreme weather, including heatwaves¹. The NFCC said the aim is to build a future in which everyone in the UK can be safe while in, on or around the water¹.

The NFCC reported that in one week, from 24 to 31 May, at least 19 people lost their lives in accidental water-related fatalities, many of them children and teenagers¹. According to the Water Incident Database (WAID), more than a quarter (26 per cent) of all accidental drowning deaths in the five-year period 2020 to 2024 were young people aged 10 to 29¹. The NFCC said warm weather is known to be a factor in increasing accidental drowning deaths, and that even on the hottest days open water can remain dangerously cold and conceal hidden currents, sudden drops and submerged objects¹.

Chris Kirby, Chair of the NFCC's Prevention Committee, said:

With more hot weather and heatwaves forecast for the UK during August, water safety experts are urging the public to learn how to "Find Your Float" in a safe, supervised environment such as a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach¹. The NFCC sets out the steps as: tilt your head back with your ears submerged; relax and try to breathe normally; move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat; it is OK if your legs sink, as everybody floats differently; and once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety¹.

Why it matters for households

The strategy sets out national targets on water safety education and public awareness of water risks, and on responding to new risks from climate change and extreme weather, including heatwaves¹. The NFCC links warm weather to an increase in accidental drowning deaths, noting that teenagers and young adults often head to the water to socialise and cool off when it turns hot, often unaware of the hazards¹. Its water safety education work is delivered through the StayWise platform, which has dedicated water safety resources for fire and rescue services, educators and families, and through its "Be Water Aware" drowning prevention week, whose messaging and resources can be used throughout the year¹. Households looking for wider practical preparation guidance can use the UK preparedness hub.

What happens next

World Drowning Prevention Day takes place on Saturday 25 July¹. More hot weather and heatwaves have been forecast for the UK during August, according to the NFCC¹. The strategy documents are published by the National Water Safety Forum¹.