Drowning Prevention Week

From 14th to 21st June 2025, we are proudly supporting Drowning Prevention Week, one of the UK’s largest national water safety campaigns organised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS). As summer approaches, more families head to pools, beaches, rivers and lakes. The campaign aims to reduce accidental drownings by raising awareness of vital safety messages and teaching critical water safety skills.

What the Campaign is About

Drowning Prevention Week is timed to coincide with the start of the summer season. During this period, drowning risks increase sharplynearly half of all accidental drownings occur between May and August, particularly on hot days. RLSS highlights the Water Safety Code, which focuses on three simple rules to keep people safer around water:

1. Stop and think – identify potential dangers before entering the water
2. Stay together – swim with others and wherever possible in lifeguarded areas
3. In an emergency, float and call 999 – float on your back to conserve energy, and alert emergency services

These straightforward messages can make a life saving difference.

What we’re Doing at Horizon

Water Safety Integration in Swim School

Throughout the week, swim lessons will include dedicated water safety instruction. Children will learn how to recognise risks, how to float if they get into difficulty, and what to do in an emergency. Instructors will reinforce this through regular practice, aiming to build life saving habits.

Family Water Safety Resources

We are sharing free resources from RLSS, including videos and downloadable guidance. These child friendly materials make it easy to begin water safety discussions at home.

Pool Safety Reminders

Throughout the week, staff will highlight pool safety rules, including supervision advice, layout of safety equipment, and how to signal for help. Keeping calm and floating on your back in an emergency is important advice we will emphasise at poolside.

Why This Matters for our Community

In the UK and Ireland, over 300 people unintentionally drown each year, with many incidents happening in inland water settings. Surveys indicate that more than half of parents are not confident their child would know what to do if they fell unexpectedly into water. Education, supervision, and awareness are key to reducing those numbers.

How You Can Help

Help create a safer community this summer by:

• Supporting water safety conversations at home using RLSS resources
• Ensuring your child attends swim lessons during the campaign
• Discussing the Water Safety Code and its meaning with your family
• Leading by example by following pool rules and staying alert around water

Join Us for Drowning Prevention Week

From 14th to 21st June, make water safety a priority. Bring your children to swim lessons, pick up free safety materials, and learn how simple habits like floating in an emergency and always swimming with others can make a big difference.

Together we can give our community confidence to enjoy water safely this summer. Your support helps make our community a safer place for everyone.