Joyce Watson AM has highlighted the Welsh Government’s record on water safety.
Speaking in the Senedd at the start Drowning Prevention Week (14 – 24 June), the Labour Mid and Wales member warned that the approaching school holidays are the peak time for accidents. She called on the government to continue to support water safety initiatives.
Mrs Watson said:
“Tragically, one person drowns accidentally every 20 hours in the UK and many others experience life-changing injuries as a consequence of near-drowning.
“With the summer holidays just around the corner, that is a peak time for these types of accidents…it’s crucial that the water safety and drowning prevention messages are heard loud and clear.”
According to the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) more than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more suffer injury – some life-changing – through non-fatal drowning experiences. Around 85% of accidental drownings occur at open water sites.
First Minister Mark Drakeford, in reply, praised the awareness-raising efforts of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. The not-for-profit company provides water safety schools sessions, as well as offering public advice and leading media campaigns. He said:
“The Royal Life Saving Society UK, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Dŵr Cymru work tirelessly throughout the year to raise awareness.
“Over 11,000 children took part in water safety awareness sessions in Wales in 2018. They involve the RNLI, they involve the Royal Life Saving Society and those sessions were directly the result of funding that the Welsh Government provides.”
The First Minister went on to say that school pupils, by the end of key stage 2, should be able to swim unaided for a sustained period of time.
Dŵr Cymru’s ‘One Last Breath’ campaign raises awareness about the dangers of swimming in reservoirs and other areas of inland water. Learn more at: http://www.onelastbreath.wales/
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