Why drowning prevention still matters — What every parent should know this summer

As summer approaches, many of us look forward to days by the pool, beach, river or lake with our children.

Water play and swimming are such joyful parts of childhood.But there is an uncomfortable truth that we, as parents, need to face — because it could save lives.

👉 Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death in children.

👉 In the UK, drowning deaths have doubled in the past four years (RLSS UK, 2022–2023).

👉 And these tragic incidents happen across ALL ages — not just in the toddler years.

This is why I’m writing this post — not to frighten you, but to empower you. There are many simple, powerful things we can all do to help protect our children.

The Facts Parents Need to Know

👉 Under 5s — 43% of drowning deaths were in children under five.

👉 Teenagers 13–17 — 41% of drowning deaths occurred in this age group.

👉 5–12 year olds — Drowning deaths rose from 3 (2021–2022) to 10 (2022–2023).

👉 Boys — Twice as many boys drown as girls.

👉 At home — In the past four years:

• 51 children drowned at home.

• 35 of these were in the bath — 25 were under 5, 10 were under 1, and 7 were in bath seats.

• 16 drowned in paddling pools, hot tubs, or ponds.

👉 School swimming — School lessons alone are not enough:

• The % of Year 7 children able to swim 25m is now significantly lower than in 2017–2018.

• 35.4% of primary schools offer fewer than 10 swimming lessons per year.

• Many schools struggle to provide qualified teachers for swimming, which impacts the quality of lessons.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

What This Means

It’s clear that simply attending a few swimming lessons is not enough to equip our children with the skills they need to stay safe in and around water. It’s also clear that risk exists at all ages — from babies to teenagers.

As parents, we play a vital role. But this is NOT about guilt. It’s about awareness and action.

Here are some simple, practical things you can do:

10 Things You Can Do to Help Keep Your Child Safer Around Water

1️⃣ Start Early

Begin swimming lessons when your child is young — and continue them consistently.

2️⃣ Keep Them Swimming

Don’t stop lessons when your child can float or swim 25m. Water safety is a lifelong skill that needs maintaining, especially as children grow and risks change.

3️⃣ Involve Yourself

Don’t just drop off — stay involved in your child’s swimming journey. Understand what they are learning.

4️⃣ Know the Real Risks

Remember that teenagers and boys are particularly at risk. Stay engaged with older children’s water activities too — don’t assume they are "too old" for lessons.

5️⃣ Don’t Rely on School Lessons Alone

Keep up private or community swimming lessons even when your child does school swimming. Ask your school about the quality and frequency of lessons.

6️⃣ Stay Present at Home

Always supervise bath time — stay within arm’s reach. Bath seats are NOT a safety device. Always empty paddling pools after use. Fence ponds and cover hot tubs.

7️⃣ Talk to Your Child Teach your child about water safety, not just swimming strokes. Help them understand where the risks are — calmly and clearly.

8️⃣ Be Water Wise When on Holiday

Holiday environments present new risks. Research the local water hazards. Supervise closely. Avoid inflatables in open water.

9️⃣ Encourage School Improvement

Talk to your child’s school. If they are struggling with swimming delivery, suggest they reach out to local swimming teachers for help rather than cutting lessons.

10️⃣ Be a Role Model

Show respect for water yourself. Model safe behaviours around pools, beaches and open water.

The SWIM SAFE Approach

One of the most powerful ways you can support your child’s safety and confidence around water is by following the SWIM SAFE approach:

🌊 S — Supervision and Shared Understanding

Stay present and attentive around water. Make sure your child understands that they also have a role in their own safety.

🌊 W — Water Safe Habits

Build habits such as checking for risks, always swimming with an adult, respecting open water, and using lifejackets when appropriate.

🌊 I — Incremental Skill Development

Support your child’s swimming progress step by step — from water confidence to strong, functional swimming and water safety skills.

🌊 M — Movement with Purpose

Encourage your child to move purposefully in the water — not just float or play aimlessly — building strokes and movement patterns that can help them in real-life situations.

🌊 S — Safety Skill Practice

Regularly practise safety skills such as floating, rolling to breathe, climbing out of water, and treading water — not just swimming in lanes.

🌊 A — Active Play for Preparedness

Use fun, active play to prepare children for unexpected situations. Games that mimic realistic water movement and challenges build adaptability and resilience.

🌊 F — Family Education

Keep the whole family involved — siblings, parents, carers — so that everyone knows how to be water-wise and can model safe behaviours.

🌊 E — Education and Advocacy

Stay informed about water safety yourself and advocate for better swimming and safety education in your community and schools.

Final Thoughts

None of us can prevent every risk — but by staying informed and involved, we can greatly reduce them.

As we move into summer, please:

💙 Keep your children swimming.

💙 Stay aware around all water — at home and away.

💙 Speak to your school about swimming provision.💙 Involve yourself in your child’s swimming progress.

💙 Build Water Wisdom and SMART Swimmers — for life.

Together, we can help protect more children and create a generation of young people who truly understand the water, love it, and respect it.