RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 14, 2005
NEW INITIATIVES LAUNCHED TO CUT UK DROWNINGS

Two new initiatives to help reduce the number of drownings around the UK coastline and at inland water sites and swimming pools were being launched at RoSPA’s National Water Safety Congress today (March 14).

A new beach safety sign standard was being unveiled along with a website to provide a one-stop-shop to give advice to water site operators and the public.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents conference at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth, today and tomorrow (March 14-15) is entitled Towards Water Safety Excellence and is sponsored by Sport England and the Environment Agency.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has created the first beach safety sign standard to give people enjoying the coastline accurate and consistent information. It is hoped it will be widely adopted by beach owners to remove the confusion sometimes created by existing sign systems.

The website www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/ is the work of the National Water Safety Forum, which was set up a year ago to represent all organisations with interests in water safety and to provide close links with the Government. The website provides safety advice and facts and figures about beaches, inland water sites, swimming pools, water sports and water safety in the home. It also gives details about the forum’s role.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA Head of Water and Leisure Safety, said: “These two initiatives were proposed at last year’s RoSPA congress and we are delighted they have come into being so quickly. They can play a vital role in the battle to reduce drownings around the coast of the UK and at many inland water sites and swimming pools as well.”

The website was being demonstrated to delegates today and also shows the work of specific advisory groups and of the co-ordinating committee.

Topics being discussed at the conference include: extreme sports, commercial and recreational water craft management, the danger of inflatable toys on beaches, activity centres, lifeguarding, pool admissions, accident investigation, access for the disabled and swimming pool design.

Latest figures show that in 2003 the scorching weather marred what was otherwise a much better year for water safety, with 381 drownings recorded in comparison with 427 in 2002 – a drop of more than 10 per cent. There were 66 accidental drownings in August alone. A total of 159 people drowned in the hottest months of June, July and August – almost 80 per cent higher than a normal summer - as people risked their lives trying to cool off.