National drowning prevention strategy launched in England
England launches a national drowning prevention strategy following 202 accidental water-related deaths last year, aiming to reduce fatalities.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
England has launched its first national drowning prevention strategy, following a year in which 202 people died accidentally in water-related incidents. The strategy, drawn up by the National Water Safety Forum, aims to reduce fatalities by coordinating efforts across government, emergency services, and community groups.
More than half of last year's accidental drownings occurred in inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, and 43% of those who died were under the age of 40. The recent hot weather has been linked to a spike in deaths, with campaigners describing the situation as a public health disaster.
Ross McLeod, Deputy Chair of Water Safety England and co-author of the strategy, said the plan is a "rallying cry for different sectors to come together to play their part in preventing drowning." He noted that water safety will be added to the national curriculum in England from September, and the UK Health Security Agency has included drowning in its heat health alerts. However, the strategy calls on the government to appoint a dedicated minister for drowning prevention to coordinate the sector and fund long-term work.
McLeod also urged the public to follow three key safety steps: - Go to a supervised location, such as a lifeguarded beach (between red and yellow flags) or a swimming pool. - Float to live, if you get into difficulty, tilt your head back, submerge your ears, relax, and tread water gently. Practice this in a safe place beforehand. - Phone, float, throw, if you see someone in trouble, call 999, encourage them to float, and throw them a rescue device or any buoyant object (like a football or bottle) to hold onto until help arrives.
The strategy is being launched in England this week, with similar plans for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to follow in the coming days.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| 43% of accidental water-related deaths in England were of people under 40. | |
| Over half of accidental water-related deaths in England occurred in inland waterways. | |
| There were 202 accidental water-related deaths in England last year, according to the National Water Safety Forum. | |
| Water safety will be added to the national curriculum in England from September. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV Lunchtime News focused on the human impact of recent water-related deaths during hot weather, framing the issue as a 'public health disaster.' The segment included an extended interview with Ross McLeod, who provided practical safety advice and highlighted the need for a government minister for drowning prevention. The tone was urgent and advisory, with a strong emphasis on actionable steps for viewers.
- “It's being called a public health disaster.”
- “We're calling on the government to try and appoint a minister for drowning prevention to help coordinate the sector and fund this important work for many years to come.”
- “If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, remember, float to live.”
Broadcast Timeline
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