RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 24, 1999
NEW BID TO CUT DROWNINGS AFTER 550 DIE

More than 550 people drowned accidentally in the United Kingdom last year - with floods claiming an unusually high 21 lives, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed today.

Inland waters like rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and canals posed the biggest danger and led to 322 of the 552 drownings. Sixty-five people drowned in and around the home, 17 in swimming pools, 130 in coastal waters and 18 in docks and harbours.

To tackle the problem, RoSPA and the Royal Life Saving Society UK are publishing new guidance called Safety at Inland Water Sites. It looks at the legal responsibilities of site owners, the principles of water safety management, risk assessment, drowning prevention strategies, recreation on water and staff management.

Ruth Sleigh, RoSPA Head of Water and Leisure Safety, said: "We believe that drownings can be prevented and land owners and water site operators have a responsibility to make things as safe as possible.

"Safety at Inland Water Sites will be an invaluable reference document to establish standards which can be applied across the UK. It aims to show how to make water as safe as possible while still allowing it to be used for enjoyment.

"Our canals, rivers, lakes and reservoirs are a recreational asset for millions of people who want to enjoy wildlife and leisure facilities, but they do expose people to risks which need to be managed properly.

"Last year’s extremely wet weather led to 21 people drowning because of floods - that’s around 10 times more than we would expect. Some were drowned near their homes and others while walking in remote spots.

"It is vital that people realise that water poses a threat all year round: when it is sunny people drown diving into pools and rivers to cool off; when it is cold they fall through the ice; and when it is wet they can be swept away in floods."