Why National Drowning Prevention Week Matters

What is National Drowning Prevention Week?

National Drowning Prevention Week is an annual campaign led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). It’s designed to raise awareness of water safety and help prevent accidental drownings across the UK.

The campaign provides essential water safety information, encourages parents to talk to their children about the risks, and offers practical advice that can make all the difference in an emergency. It’s also a vital opportunity for swim schools, communities and schools to come together in promoting life-saving education.

When is National Drowning Prevention Week 2025?

This year, National Drowning Prevention Week runs from 14th to 21st June 2025. It comes just before the summer holidays, when children are more likely to spend time in and around open water – from beaches and lakes to rivers and swimming pools.

Why National Drowning Prevention Week is So Important to Us at Cindy’s Swim School

At Cindy’s Swim School, we are deeply passionate about equipping every child with the essential skill of swimming. We believe learning to swim is not just a fun activity or a milestone to tick off – it’s a lifelong skill that can save lives.

Drowning is a real risk – especially in summer

According to RLSS UK:

• 277 people accidentally drowned in the UK in 2023
• Over 40% of accidental drownings happen in the summer months, particularly in July and August
• Children and young people aged 8–18 are especially vulnerable when unsupervised near open water
• Many drownings occur in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals, not just the sea

In the past few months, London has already witnessed several heartbreaking incidents where children have tragically lost their lives after getting into difficulty in the River Thames and swimming in lakes. These stories hit painfully close to home – and they are stark reminders of why water safety education is so important. 

Drowning is silent, fast, and all too often preventable. We want to ensure that no child leaves our swim school without the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe in and around water. We also want to try and educate children in the local area who have never attended our swimming lessons. 

How Cindy’s Swim School is Supporting National Drowning Prevention Week

This year, we’re proud to launch a series of new initiatives to support the goals of National Drowning Prevention Week and keep children in our community safe:

RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Content Is Now Part of Our Stage 4+ Lessons

We’re thrilled to be offering content from the RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard Programme for children at Stage 4 and above. This programme is a fantastic way to build confidence and teach vital water safety and lifesaving skills in a fun and engaging way.

Some of the topics we’ll cover include:

• How to spot dangers in different aquatic environments (rivers, lakes, pools, and the sea)
• How to help someone in difficulty without putting yourself at risk
• Basic rescue techniques and how to use rescue aids
• CPR awareness and emergency response
• Understanding the Water Safety Code

This training not only improves swimming ability, but also teaches children how to think clearly and act responsibly in potentially dangerous situations.

We’re Giving 8,000 Life-Saving Water Safety Magnets for Local Schools

As part of our outreach, Cindy’s Swim School has produced 8,000 water safety magnets, which will be distributed to schools across South London during National Drowning Prevention Week as shown below: 

Each magnet features the four key steps of the Water Safety Code:

Stop and Think – Always take a moment to assess the risks before entering the water.

Stay Together – Swim with a friend or an adult – never alone.

Call 999 – Know how to get help in an emergency.

Float – If you fall in, float on your back and stay calm until help arrives.

Water Safety Advice for Families

You don’t need to be by the sea to face water risks – canals, rivers, ponds, even garden paddling pools can pose dangers. Here are some practical water safety tips to help protect your children:

• Always supervise children closely near water – even if they can swim.
• Talk about water safety regularly. Help your children understand the risks and how to behave responsibly.
• Teach the Water Safety Code – and practise what to do in an emergency.
• Make sure children know how to float on their back if they fall in unexpectedly.
• Avoid swimming in open water where you’re unsure of currents, depth, or hidden hazards.

Ensure your child takes swimming lessons regularly to build strength, confidence, and awareness.

Join Us in Supporting Water Safety This June

Whether your child is just starting out or building on existing skills, National Drowning Prevention Week is a perfect opportunity to talk about water safety at home and make sure they understand the risks.

We’re proud to be part of a movement that is helping to save lives – one lesson, one conversation, and one confident swimmer at a time.

If you’d like to learn more about our swimming programmes or the Rookie Lifeguard sessions, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you. Alternatively book a swimming lesson here.