Stay water safe this summer

The annual RLSS UK campaign is all about educating families, carers, teachers of children aged between five and 15 years old about water safety. Sunderland City Council is backing the campaign which runs from Saturday 14 to Saturday 21 June, to help raise awareness of the importance of staying safe and water safety.

The RLSS UK provides free water safety advice for families and schools in a bid to give every child the opportunity to learn about water safety. 

Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council said: "We are very lucky to have beautiful beaches in Sunderland where people can enjoy the water.

"We want all our residents and visitors to be able to get the most out of these fantastic spaces, as safely as possible. This is why we are continuing to support Drowning Prevention Week, in the hope that everyone will take the time to look at some of the really helpful advice on offer from organisations like the RLSS and the RNLI on how to keep you and your loved ones safe in water this summer."

"I would also encourage anyone planning on swimming in the sea in Sunderland this summer to visit a beach which has RNLI lifeguards on duty and to always to swim between the red and yellow flags."

The RNLI will be providing their lifeguard service to Roker, Seaburn and Cat and Dog beaches everyday from 10am to 6pm, until Sunday 7 September.

The RLSS UK hopes that by raising awareness, the campaign will see a reduction in the number of people losing their lives to accidental drowning every year. An average of 312 people in the UK and Ireland sadly lose their lives this way each year.  Many more have non-fatal experiences, sometimes life-changing injuries, following a water related incident. 

Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: "We want people to make the most of enjoying the water outdoors this summer as the weather warms up, which why we believe in the importance of everyone having the opportunity to learn key lifesaving knowledge, including the Water Safety Code, to keep them and their families safe and able to enjoy the water safely. 

"Help us to support our Drowning Prevention Week campaign by sharing lifesaving knowledge with family and loved ones this summer, as this could help to save lives and prevent tragedies."

There are four parts to the Water Safety Code that the Royal Life Saving Society UK is encouraging parents to discuss with their children. Stop and think, stay together, call 999, and float. These are:

• Stop and Think: Look for the dangers. Always read local signs and advice
• Stay Together: When around the water always go with friends and family and swim at a lifeguarded venue
• Call 999: in an emergency phone 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the coastguard if at the coast. Don't enter the water to rescue
• Float:  If you do fall in or become tired - stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to someone who has fallen in

For more water safety tips and advice visit: www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-information