Drowning Prevention Week 12-19 June 2027
Drowning Prevention Week, led by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK, is an annual campaign focused on helping children and young people learn vital water safety and lifesaving skills.
Taking place each June, the campaign supports children and young people aged 5 to 17 with essential water safety advice ahead of the summer holidays—when more time is spent outdoors around water and the risk of accidents increases. By building awareness and confidence, the aim is to ensure everyone can enjoy water safely.
RLSS UK is dedicated to preventing drowning and helping people of all ages enjoy water safely. Through leadership in water safety education, lifeguarding, and lifesaving skills, the organisation is working towards a future where communities are free from drowning.
Drowning is preventable – and together, we can help save lives.
For more information about water safety please visit RLSS water safety advice.
Summer water safety
It’s so tempting to jump into open water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs). Follow this advice to stay safe:
- Look out for warning signs or hidden dangers like shallow water or ledges to get stuck under
- The water is still cold and the shock can be deadly
- Check the depth – it can be deceptive
- Don’t go alone
- If there’s no lifeguard – don’t go in
- If you fall in or become tired whilst you are in the water – stay calm, float on your back and call for help
- Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in
- If there is a life-threatening situation, call 999
See more information via the links below:
Winter water safety
In winter, children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them. Here are some useful websites to keep safe this winter:
How to stay safe in winter: the dangers of frozen or icy cold water from West Midlands Fire Service
Winter water safety from Canal & River Trust
- How to stay safe on the canal
- What to do if you fall in
- What to do if you see someone in the water
- What to do if your dog gets into the water
Winter water safety from Royal Life Saving Society
Safety in the bath
Click the image for the bath time top tips and checklist
Download and Display Water Safety Advice at Home
Page updated July 2026