As the current Covid-19 restrictions ease, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) is anticipating many people will head to coastal locations and inland water beauty spots.

Few people would think they might become a water incident statistic, but the fact is in the UK in 2019 more people died from accidental drowning than cyclists did on the road.


Half of accidental drownings in the UK occur when people didn't intend to go in the water, so simple steps to raise awareness of the risks around water and how they can be reduced will help prevent these deaths.

In 2019:

• 223 people accidentally drowned in the UK – Lancaster is Lancashire’s hotspot with 28% of Lancashire’s incidents occurring there.
• Around 50% of these people just happened to be near water and had no intention of entering the water
• 82% of fatalities were male
• 77 UK nationals, mainly tourists, drowned whilst abroad in 2019. 80% were male.

Kirsty McCreesh, Group Manager for Prevention in Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service says “As the weather improves and we venture out to explore, please be mindful of the dangers of open water.

"Even on a beautiful, sunny day water temperatures can be dangerously low, strong currents can catch you out and there may be hidden hazards underneath the surface.

"While we want people to get outside and enjoy Lancashire we also want people to understand the risks of water, follow advice and be prepared in the event of an incident. Drowning is one of the lead causes of accidental death in the UK and it is preventable."

Following simple advice will help reduce the 223 accidental drownings reported in 2019 and the many more injuries, which can be lifechanging, following water related incidents.

Advice from LFRS:

• Never swim alone in case you need help
• Don’t drink alcohol when undertaking water related activities, it impairs judgement and your ability to swim
• Avoid walking routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol
• Don’t dive or jump straight into open water, this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock even on the warmest day
• Actively supervise children in and around water - drowning can happen fast and silently
• If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effect of cold water shock pass
• Never enter the water to try and rescue someone, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service if inland and the Coastguard if you are at the coast

The fire service has successfully reduced the number of fire deaths by focusing on prevention work and now we must apply the same principle to tackling drowning. Response is not enough - we must prevent drownings. Look out for #BeWaterAware on social media.

For more water safety advice, visit www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/water-safety