FOREST of Dean District Council is backing this year’s Drowning Prevention Week, running from June 14 to June 21 to help raise awareness of water safety ahead of the summer holidays.

This water safety campaign is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest summer initiatives, aimed at educating families, carers, teachers, and instructors of children aged five to fifteen about vital water safety skills.

With more children spending time outdoors near rivers, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water during the school holidays, the campaign highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and vigilance around water safety.

Through the promotion of the Water Safety Code and other educational resources, the scheme aims to prevent accidental drownings by encouraging important water safety conversations within families and communities.

Last year’s campaign made a significant impact, with over 1.25 million children educated using free resources, a social media engagement increase of more than 80 per cent, and extensive media coverage including features on BBC, Sky, ITV, and in the Sunday Express.

The campaign’s emotional video “For Joe and Sunnah” also reached over 200,000 views, touching many families across the UK and Ireland.

Many local leisure centres, swimming pools, and schools in and around the Forest of Dean are taking part this year, offering opportunities for children to learn how to stay safe around water.

The council encourages residents to get involved, find nearby venues taking part, and most importantly, to have conversations with children about water safety.

Did you know that more than 300 people drown accidentally each year across the UK and Ireland? The council is proud to support the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) in their ongoing mission to ensure everyone can #EnjoyWaterSafely.

For more information on the campaign and local activities, visit the RLSS UK website.