Almost 90% of child drownings could have been avoided, states a recent report by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. The concerning findings have spurred calls for immediate government action to prevent further tragedies before the summer break commences. Each year, approximately 33 children succumb to drowning, a figure that could rise if preventive measures are not implemented.
Startling statistics from the RLSS UK reveal disparities in drowning rates: Black children experience over three times the drowning rate of white children, boys are twice as likely to drown as girls, and children in the most impoverished areas face a double drowning risk compared to those in more affluent communities. Alarmingly, 71% of drowned children had prior interactions with social care services.
The RLSS UK, advocates of The Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign, express deep concerns following a recent surge in drownings, with 19 fatalities during a heatwave in May. Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety Education, emphasizes the pressing need for the government to prevent further tragic summer drownings.
According to Pete Kennedy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at RLSS UK, the report serves as a crucial wake-up call for the government. He stresses that drowning, a highly preventable issue, disproportionately impacts underprivileged and marginalized communities. The report underscores that nearly every drowning incident could have been averted, with modifiable factors such as lack of supervision, unsafe surroundings, easy access to water, and absence of safety measures being key contributors.
Released during Drowning Prevention Week at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety Education, the report characterizes drowning as a preventable public health concern. RLSS UK emphasizes the need to address health inequalities and risk factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, and social care involvement.
The RLSS UK urges the UK Government to take decisive action in line with World Health Organization recommendations to safeguard vulnerable communities and prevent needless deaths. Noting recent drownings during the heatwave, Kennedy stresses the urgency for comprehensive policies that promote water safety alongside recreational activities near lakes and rivers.
Darren Paffey emphasizes the report’s revelation that child drownings constitute a public health emergency, requiring immediate attention and action. He commends recent initiatives but stresses the need for further government intervention to avert future tragedies.
The RLSS UK’s report outlines five key recommendations for government action, including revising the Public Health Water Taskforce’s focus to include drowning prevention, addressing health inequalities, understanding high-risk groups, implementing drowning mitigation strategies for water-related activities, and appointing a Minister responsible for water safety and drowning prevention.
The APPG meeting will feature a keynote address by RLSS UK Ambassador and Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean MBE, urging the government to prioritize water safety measures. The report, developed in collaboration with the National Child Mortality Database, provides comprehensive data on child drownings in England since 2020.