The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) issued a drowning warning on 8 June 2023, ahead of a heatwave expected to hit parts of England over the weekend1. The warning followed a number of recent drownings, which the charity said included many children1.
The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency issued an alert in place from 9am on Friday 9 June to 9am on Monday 12 June1. Six regions are covered by the yellow alert1:
| Regions included in the yellow alert |
|---|
| London |
| East Midlands |
| West Midlands |
| East of England |
| South East |
| South West |
RLSS UK said the UK would record its hottest day of 2023 so far that weekend1. The charity reported that in 2022, 46% of the 226 accidental drownings took place in June, July and August, and that it sees a spike in accidental drownings in those three months each year1. It said there is evidence of a link between warmer weather and an increased number of accidental drownings1.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said:
"Each year we see a spike in accidental drownings occur in June, July and August when we typically see the warmer weather hit the UK. In 2022 46% of the 226 accidental drownings took place within those three summer months; we understand the reason people head to the various waterways in the UK when we experience warmer weather, however, we want to ensure people would know what to do if they found themselves in difficulty or if they saw someone else in difficulty in the water."
The charity set out its Water Safety Code: stop and think, looking out for dangers and reading signs and advice; stay together, swimming at a lifeguarded venue and always going with friends or family; in an emergency call 999, asking for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the Coastguard at the coast, and never entering the water to rescue anyone or anything; and float, staying calm and floating on your back if you fall in, or telling someone in trouble to float and trying to throw them something that floats1. RLSS UK encourages families to speak with their children about water safety and to learn the Water Safety Code1. It said it has a number of free resources available1.
Why it matters for households
The alert covers households in London, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West, and runs from 9am on Friday 9 June to 9am on Monday 12 June1. RLSS UK said it wants everyone to take care whilst in or near the water this weekend, and that with the right education accidental drownings are avoidable1. The charity's guidance for anyone who falls in is to stay calm and float on their back, and for anyone who spots someone in trouble to tell them to float and try to throw them something that floats, rather than entering the water1. Further general guidance on hot weather is set out in the guide to heatwaves and drought, and on receiving official alerts in the guide to staying informed.
What happens next
RLSS UK said it will run its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign from 17 to 24 June 2023, aimed at educating more children and families on how to enjoy being in, on or around the water safely1.
