Families are being urged to improve their water safety knowledge after statistics showed fatalities in Cornwall have more than doubled in just one year.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is urging people to access its free resources for children and adults to learn basic water safety and rescue skills, and build their confidence in, on and around the water.

The charity’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign starts today and runs until June 19.

RLSS UK is fearful that there could be a significant rise in drowning accidents and fatalities across the UK this summer when lockdown restrictions lift further, with a worrying number of accidents already hitting the news.

Lifeguard patrols are not currently running at their normal level on beaches around Cornwall and the emergency services are stretched, says the charity.

In 2019, 29 people were reported to have drowned in Cornwall, a 163% rise from 2018 (11 fatalities). The county is ranked as the fourth highest in the UK for drowning deaths, with 117 fatalities in the last five years.

As part of Drowning Prevention Week, families are being urged to access the RLSS UK’s free resources to learn how to keep themselves and their loved ones, safe.

The children’s resources aim to teach water safety in a fun and engaging way, whilst the Lifesaver-Lifechanger tool caters for older children and adults.

RLSS UK chief executive officer Robert Gofton said: ’We are extremely concerned that this summer will see people rushing to jump into the water without proceeding with caution and understanding the potential life-threatening implications.

’Although amazing work has been done to reduce the number of accidental drownings across the UK and Ireland, this year has been unprecedented in so many ways. We have witnessed a recent increase in public euphoria and risk-taking behaviour.

’Cornwall has a particularly high rate of drowning incidences and we urge as many people as possible to access our resources to learn how to stay safe.  

’RLSS UK believes that the majority of drowning incidents can be prevented. By learning to recognise to the potential dangers, and becoming confident in how to respond to an emergency, you could save a life.’

To access the resources, visit www.rlss.org.uk/dpw and for more information on Drowning Prevention Week look for RLSS on social media.