A shocking new report from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) reveals that almost nine in ten drownings involving children could have been prevented. The data, released during Drowning Prevention Week, has prompted urgent calls for government action before the summer holidays.
Key Findings
Around 33 children die from drowning each year in England—the equivalent of a classroom of children. The report highlights stark inequalities:
- Black children drown at more than three times the rate of white children.
- Boys drown at twice the rate of girls.
- Children in the most deprived communities drown at twice the rate of the least deprived.
- 71% of children who drowned were known to social care at some point in their lives.
Preventable Deaths
In 87% of cases reviewed by a Child Death Overview Panel, ‘modifiable factors’ were identified—such as lack of adult supervision, unsafe environments, accessible water, and absence of safety measures. The RLSS UK states that drownings should not be seen as random accidents but rather as a preventable public health issue.
Calls for Government Action
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Water Safety Education, said: “It’s clear from this report that child drownings are a public health emergency and should be treated as such.” The APPG is urging the government to implement five key recommendations:
- Change the Terms of Reference of the Public Health Water Taskforce to include drowning prevention.
- Apply a public health approach to reduce drowning risk, addressing health inequalities and environmental determinants.
- Consider drivers of elevated risk among high-risk groups, including Black children, male children, children known to social care, and those in deprived communities.
- Accompany ambitions to increase open water use with proportionate drowning prevention measures.
- Appoint a Minister with responsibility for water safety and drowning prevention.
Pete Kennedy, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at RLSS UK, said: “This report is a wake-up call to the Government. Drowning isn’t just preventable, but it disproportionately harms disadvantaged and marginalised communities.” The report warns that without action, more tragedies will occur, especially after 19 people drowned in a single week during the May heatwave.
The APPG will feature a keynote speech from RLSS UK Ambassador and triple Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean MBE, urging the government to act. The report was produced in partnership with the National Child Mortality Database, covering all child drownings in England since 2020.
