Drowning Prevention Week is run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and aims to ensure everyone knows how to have fun and stay safe near water and is running between 18-26 June 2016.

Children aged between three and 11-years-old in leisure centres across the country will be given lessons on how to stay safe around water and what to do in an emergency during their swimming lessons.

Around 6,000 children will receive these important skills and messages before the start of the school summer holidays.

RLSS UK’s Chief Executive, Di Steer, said: “Around 400 people needlessly die from drowning in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences. Shockingly, one person dies every 20 hours in the UK and drowning is the leading cause of accidental death of children in the UK.

“We want as many children as possible to learn essential water safety skills, that could potentially save lives.

“We thank Becky Adlington’s SwimStars for getting involved with our campaign and helping to spread water safety messages at such a high risk time of the year.”

“We recognise the importance of not only teaching children to swim, but also to ensure they are safe and can enjoy the pool and sea. We want to educate children how to keep themselves and others safe in and around water – when asking most children what they should do if they see somebody in trouble in or around water, a scary amount will answer that they should get in the water and help! This week is about educating children from the age of 3 the basics of water safety that could save lives.”

Drowning Prevention Week sees schools, clubs and leisure centres and communities promote water safety thought events, lessons, games and activities in a bid to make people more aware of the dangers of water. RLSS UK provides a host of resources including videos, presentations, lesson plans and games.

Drowning Prevention Week aims to raise money for the RLSS UK’s wider drowning prevention work, which includes providing support for families affected by drowning or near drowning. Donate now by texting DRPW16+£donation amount to 70070.

For more information on Drowning Prevention Week –

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter – @RLSSUK

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 3230 096

For more information on Swim Stars visit – www.beckyadlingtonsswimstars.com/