Children to learn about drowning prevention

WSS is handing out kit bags featuring water safety messages to children at schools and at a number of summer community events in partnership with Inspiring Scotland’s Link Up programme.

The bags can be used for swimming and sports gear to help children make the most of the outdoors during the summer holidays and they carry key safety messages about how to keep safe by water. Inside they include some resources from across the water safety partners such as quizzes and magazines, aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of water.

Figures from the National Water Safety Forum show that across Scotland in 2017, there were 46 accidental fatalities. This resource is aimed to further ensure that we can enjoy our great natural landscape safely.

Michael Avril, chairman of Water Safety Scotland, said: “Water Safety Scotland is delighted to be working with the Scottish Government, to ensure that the Drowning Prevention Strategy makes a difference to the people of Scotland. We are keen to promote water safety education within schools and believe this targeted pilot project will help to raise awareness of the dangers and assist them by giving essential information to make informed decisions about their safety.”

For more on Water Safety Scotland, and its Drowning Prevention Strategy which was launched in January, visit www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk