THE recent spell of good weather has had many of us clamouring for the nearest beach, lake or garden paddling pool. But given the lure of the water during the summer months, keeping safe in and around it is something that should be at the forefront of our minds.
This is particularly important for children and those who are more vulnerable or unaware of its dangers.
Almost 400 people needlessly drown in Britain and the north every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences.
According to statistics from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), one person dies in the water every 20 hours, with drowning being the third highest cause of accidental death of children.
This is a statistic the charity is committed to eradicating and in support of this have launched a hands-on training scheme, called The Ripple Effect, focuses on promoting water safety and drowning prevention to equip local children with the knowledge and essential swimming skills needed to minimise dangerous incidents.
“Tragically too many young people are lost to the water each year due to insufficient survival skills or lack of swimming confidence," says Tanya Martin from Belfast Swimming Club, which has launched the Ripple Effect in Northern Ireland with support from Speedo and local charity Hope for Youth.
Children from Elmgrove Primary School in East Belfast have been the first to benefit from the scheme, which they hope will ripple out to more schools in the future.
"After taking part in the programme's initial classroom and poolside lessons, we have had great feedback from the pupils regarding their understanding of the coach’s key messages and have noticed a surge in their confidence in the swimming pool," says Elmgrove teacher Hannah English.
"The Ripple Effect has particular importance for our pupils because of the current regeneration work being carried out in Flora Walkway along the Connswater Community Greenway.
"A number of pupils that walk to school walk past the river on their way to school so it is great that they are being given first-hand knowledge about water safety and lifesaving skills which are giving them the important tools to show responsibility around water."
Of course, as long as you follow basic guidelines, like those given below by the RLSS UK, staying safe in the water still leaves room for having fun.
:: Never swim alone
When individuals swim alone they run the risk of having no one to help them should they come up against any danger. If you find yourself in that category, then enlist a swimming buddy to look out for you (and vice versa).
If there is no way of avoiding swimming alone then at least keep to shallow waters and never stray too far away from the water’s edge.
:: At the beach
If the weather affords you a day at the beach, one all-important guideline is to check the tides or currents before hitting the water – either by looking out for signs or checking with a lifeguard.
Once you know the water is safe enough, it is worth setting out a towel or some sort of marker on dry land to ensure the current never takes you too far away from eyesight of it.
An obvious yet important tip when swimming at the beach is to stay clear of any obvious cliffs or areas that may have rocks hidden underneath.
:: At the pool
Be it a public or private swimming pool, there is always the danger of a slippery surface.To avoid any knocks or slips,it is best to take your time when walking around the edge of the swimming pool.
Ensure young people know from an early age not to run near a swimming pool. Also, make sure to observe any pool rules and never dive into a shallow end.
:: At home
This might seem a less likely place for someone to fall into danger around water but when younger children are involved then the propensity levels increase and, if this is the case, it is best to err on the over cautious side.
As with bathing, children should be supervised at all times when playing in paddling pools. Additionally, a good habit is to empty any paddling pools of water after use and, where there is a pool outside and the risk of a child accessing it through a gate, make sure all entrances are locked to prevent any access.
:: City of Belfast Swimming Club provides children and young people of all abilities the opportunity to learn and develop swimming skills in a fun club environment. For further information visit Swimbelfast.com.