Almost 90% of child drownings could have been prevented, a recent report by the Royal Life Saving Society UK reveals. The concerning findings have spurred calls for immediate government action to avert further tragedies before the upcoming summer break. Approximately 33 children lose their lives to drowning annually, a figure likened to an entire classroom, with concerns that this number may rise.
Startling data from the RLSS UK underscores disparities in drowning rates: Black children are over three times more likely to drown than white children, boys have double the drowning rate of girls, and children in the most deprived areas face twice the risk compared to their more affluent counterparts. Additionally, 71% of drowning victims had previous involvement with social care.
Following a distressing week where 19 individuals perished during a May heatwave, the RLSS UK has supported campaigns like the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam initiative to prevent further casualties. The urgency for action was echoed by Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety Education, who emphasized the need for immediate government intervention to prevent future drownings.
Pete Kennedy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at RLSS UK, emphasized the critical need for government attention, stressing that drowning disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities. The report highlights that almost all child drownings could have been avoided, with 87% of cases citing preventable factors such as lack of supervision, unsafe surroundings, easy access to water, and inadequate safety measures.
The report, released during Drowning Prevention Week at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Water Safety Education, categorizes drowning as a preventable public health concern. The RLSS UK emphasized the need to address health inequalities and risk factors to combat the issue effectively.
Five key recommendations were outlined for government action, including altering the Terms of Reference of the Public Health Water Taskforce to encompass drowning prevention, applying a public health approach to reduce drowning risks, and appointing a Minister dedicated to water safety and drowning prevention.
The APPG event will feature a keynote address from RLSS UK Ambassador Tom Dean MBE, urging the government to take decisive action. The report, developed in collaboration with the National Child Mortality Database, presents data on drownings among children in England, emphasizing the urgency for immediate preventive measures.
