Andrew Stephenson MP is urging people to get involved with the RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign in a bid to prevent summer tragedies.
The Pendle MP helped establish the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drowning Prevention following the drowning of 17 year old James Goodship in Foulridge in 2014.
More than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more have near drowning experiences, sometimes suffering life changing injuries.
Drowning Prevention Week, the national campaign run by The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), aims to ensure everyone knows how to have fun and stay safe near water. This year running from 15 to 25 June, the campaign will see hundreds of leisure centres, schools, businesses and youth groups utilising RLSS UK’s water safety resources in their communities.
Andrew Stephenson MP said: “At this high-risk time of year, it is so important to remind people to stay safe near water. I am only too happy to support this campaign and I encourage everyone to play their part. Take part in the local activities organised, visit the website, find out how to keep you and your family safe this summer.”
Di Steer, RLSS UK’s Chief Executive, said: “We urge as many people as possible to just spend a bit of time making sure they know how to stay safe near water. Most of us are generally aware of the hazards at the beach but tend to overlook dangers closer to home like water temperature, sudden changes in depth or hidden debris. A few simple steps are all it takes to prevent a tragedy.”
“We need everyone’s help to raise awareness about the reality of accidental drowning, and we’re delighted that Andrew Stephenson MP is supporting us in our efforts.”
To find out how to stay safe around water this summer, contact your local leisure centre to see if they are running an event, or visit the RLSS UK’s website www.rlss.org.uk to access their water safety advice.
For more information on Drowning Prevention Week –
Visit our website at www.rlss.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter - @RLSSUK
Visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RLSSUK
Let us know what you are doing for Drowning Prevention Week by tweeting @RLSSUK using the hashtags #DPW or #StopDrowning.
Call – 0300 323 0096