The weather is hotting up and the UK’s drowning prevention charity – the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) – has issued water safety tips that could save lives this summer.

Around 60 children drown in the UK each summer, and around 75 UK citizens drown on holiday abroad so being aware of the basic principles of open water safety, combined with knowledge and understanding of the hazards, can increase enjoyment and significantly reduce the number deaths each year.

And with temperatures on the rise and many people preparing for their summer holidays, ensuring simple advice is followed by all members of the family is just as important as remembering to slap on sun cream or packing your passport, says RLSS UK Director of Lifesaving, Adrian Lole.

“Ensuring you and your family are clear on water safety and steps to take to keep everyone safe in and around water could mean the difference between a happy summer holiday, and a devastating family tragedy.

“We want people to enjoy all of the fun activities water has to offer at home and abroad during the hot weather but to do so safety by following simple advice,” he added.

Top 10 Water Safety Tips At Home:

1. Do not allow your child to use a paddling pool without adult supervision
2. Ensure paddling pools are emptied and turned upside-down as soon as they are finished with for the day
3. Check the garden regularly for anything that could collect water, like buckets and wheelbarrows
4. Supervise children closely when in parks or other places that might have a river, pond or lake
5. Ensure all members of your family know to wave and shout help if they get into difficulty and practice treading water when at your local pool
6. Take extra care on river banks, they are often slippery and can crumble and beware of locks and weirs where water flows quickly
7. Take notice of warning signs
8. Never swim alone
9. If swimming in open water, be aware of underwater hazards, currents, uneven depths and water temperatures – all of these could pose a threat to swimmers
10. When around water, stay back from the edge. At least 22 per cent of people who drown fall into the water by accident, for example when fishing, running or walking

• Also, be aware that more people drown in inland waters than coastal or at sea.

Top 10 Water Safety Tips Abroad:

1. When researching your holiday, check the safety arrangements of any water-based activities
2. When booking your holiday check if the pool/beach has lifeguard cover. Not all water sites have supervision at all times
3. Check bathing sites for hazards, check the safest places to swim and always read the signs – find out what local warning signs and flags mean
4. Make sure the whole family can swim
5. Swim with any children in your care – it’s more fun and you can keep them close and safe
6. Follow the pool rules
7. Take time to check the depth, water flow and layout of pools
8. Never enter the water after drinking alcohol
9. On beaches check when the tide will be high and low and make sure that you won’t be cut off from the beach exit by the rising tide
10. Inflatable dinghies or lilos are a well-known hazard – each year there are drownings as people on inflatables are blown out to sea. Do not use them in open water

• Also, be aware that the majority of holiday accidents occur in the first or last hour at a resort, when parents are most likely to be distracted.

In addition to the above tips, ensure you and your family know the SAFE code:
Spot – spot the dangers
Advice – follow safety signs and advice
Friend – stay close to a friend or family member
Emergency – shout for help and call 999 or 112