A Rutland swim instructor says it's vital that children know water safety before summer holidays
Many are expected to visit reservoirs like Rutland Water as the weather gets warmer
A swimming instructor in Rutland says teaching children how to be safe in the water before the summer holidays could be life saving.
It comes as reservoirs like Rutland water are expected to get busier as the weather is getting warmer.
There are so many accidents that happen over the summer
New figures reveal that 193 people died in the UK in 2024.
The data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) showed that May last year was the month with most accidental water-related fatalities, with 28 lives tragically lost.
With this month being the warmest May on record for the UK, and a rise in accidental drownings happening when air temperatures increase, experts are urging the public to Respect the Water.
Sometimes they don't know the danger or aren't aware of it
Lynette Harrison from Uppingham Sports Centre is visiting schools this week to teach life saving skills and dedicating swimming lessons around the topic. She said:
"Kids all go on holiday to beaches and places like that, and there are so many accidents that happen over the summer, not just away but at home as well."
"Sometimes they don't know the danger or aren't aware of it if the water is murky, for example."
"We will go in and teach them about water safety so they're all aware of what they should be doing and what they shouldn't be doing and looking out for dangers."
"They will also be doing life-saving skills so they know how to act in an emergency."
Figures show that inland waterways – rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries – account for 61% of the deaths.
The worst months for accidental fatalities last year were May (28), August (25) and July (21).
As part of drowning prevention week the Royal Life Saving Society encourages families, carers, teachers and instructors of children aged five to fifteen years old to educate them about water safety.