Telford & Wrekin Council supports Drowning Prevention Week to help keep residents safe
Telford & Wrekin Council is supporting RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week (13 to 20 June) to help residents stay safe around water this summer.
Working in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the Council’s leisure service is delivering water safety education across its facilities to equip children and young people with essential lifesaving knowledge ahead of the summer holidays.
Drowning Prevention Week has, for more than a decade, provided vital guidance to educators, parents and carers. Over the last five years, 3,615 people have tragically drowned in the UK and Ireland, reinforcing the importance of raising awareness and building confidence in and around water.
This year’s campaign highlights the importance of understanding the Water Safety Code, which includes supervising others, assessing risks before entering water, and knowing how to respond in an emergency.
As part of the campaign, around 3,000 children attending swimming lessons at the Council’s four pool sites will take part in dedicated water safety sessions during the week commencing 13 June. These sessions will teach participants:
- How to perform a shout and signal rescue
- Who to contact in an emergency
- How to recognise and reduce the effects of cold-water shock.
By embedding these lessons into regular swimming classes, the Council is helping ensure local children gain the skills and confidence needed to enjoy water safely. Additional promotion across the borough will aim to reach even more residents with these important messages.
Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: “Keeping our residents safe is a top priority, and we’re proud to support Drowning Prevention Week. As we head into the summer, it’s vital that children, young people and families understand the risks around water and how to stay safe.”
Steve Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council Training Specialist, said: “As part of our leisure offer, we’re proud to support this by delivering water safety education through our swimming lesson programme. By working with RLSS UK, we’re helping thousands of local children develop practical skills and knowledge that can make a real difference, while supporting families to enjoy our facilities safely.”
Residents can access free water safety resources for children, parents, carers and educators at: http://www.rlss.org.uk/dpw or visit the Telford & Wrekin Council website.