At least 19 accidental water-related deaths in one week

At least 19 people lost their lives in accidental water-related fatalities in the week from 24 to 31 May, many of them children and teenagers, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported. The figure was given as the NFCC set out its support for a new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy, published by the National Water Safety Forum, of which the NFCC is a member, and launched in support of World Drowning Prevention Day 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 Ireland. Across the four nations, the NFCC says 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.

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 29. The NFCC says warm weather is known to be a factor in increasing accidental drowning deaths, and that when the weather turns hot many teenagers and young adults head to the water to socialise and cool off, often unaware 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 the potential of more hot weather and heatwaves forecast for the UK during August, water safety experts quoted by the NFCC are urging the public to learn how to "Find Your Float" in a safe, supervised environment such as a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach. 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, everybody floats differently; and once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety¹.

Why it matters for households

The figures cover the whole of the UK and the week from 24 to 31 May, with children and teenagers among those who died. The NFCC links warm weather to an increase in accidental drowning deaths and says more hot weather and heatwaves may be forecast for August, so households with children and young people may wish to note the risks it describes in open water, including cold water, currents, sudden drops and submerged objects. The NFCC's guidance on floating is given for practice in a safe, supervised setting rather than in open water. The NFCC says education plays a vital role in helping young people understand the risks around water, and points to its StayWise education platform, which has water safety resources for fire and rescue services, educators and families, and to its "Be Water Aware" drowning prevention week, whose messaging and resources can be used throughout the year¹. General guidance on receiving and checking official warnings and alerts is set out in the guide to staying informed.

What happens next

The new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy, with the strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, has launched in support of World Drowning Prevention Day on Saturday 25 July. The NFCC says more hot weather and heatwaves may be forecast for the UK during August¹.