Importance of water safety highlighted as report reveals drowning risk to under 18s in Wales

A new report has highlighted the importance of water safety after drowning was found to be the second most common cause of non-intentional injury fatalities in children under 18 years of age in Wales.

The work, carried out by Public Health Wales, ROSPA and Water Safety Wales, revealed that there were 62 non-intentional water-related fatalities in Wales in children and young people under 25 years of age between 2013 and 2022.

Almost half of all fatalities took place during June, July and August – with Sunday found to be the most common day.

79 per cent of the children and young people were male.

The report also found that over half of the fatalities occurred in the 18-24 years age group, even though the proportion of young people in this age group account for less than one third of the population of children and young people aged 0-24 years of age.

Almost half of the children and young people were taking part in activities where they had not intended entering the water when the fatal incident occurred.

A third of fatalities occurred in a river and a third occurred at the coast, shore or beach.

With schools finished for the summer holidays, Water Safety Wales, a collaboration of around 40 organisations in Wales with an interest in water safety is keen to raise to educate families in water safety.

As part of the strategy, an educational event is being held at Llyn-y-Fran on World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25) aimed at promoting safe use of open water this summer.

Water Safety Wales have teamed up Carli Newell, a 36-year-old mother of two boys from Pembrokeshire, who lost her 11-year-old son Zac Thompson in summer 2022.

She is now committed to working with Water Safety Wales to raise awareness of the risks.

Zac was at the coast with his family and friends observing the sunset last summer when an unexpected wave forcefully swept him under the water.

He sadly died in hospital the following day.

Carli, who has established the charity Forever 11 to raise awareness of water safety in Zac’s memory said: “A year on, the impact of Zac’s death is still palpable within our community.

“Zac remains affectionately remembered by all who knew him, with several memorial matches held in the sports he adored, a tradition that will endure for years to come.

“The evidence presented in this report makes clear that more can be done to reduce water-related fatalities in children and young people in Wales and safeguard them as they revel in and respect the water.

“I urge everyone to consider what more they can do to help children and young people enjoy the water safely.”

Public Health Wales’ Child Death Review Programme (CDRP), Water Safety Wales and RoSPA noted five deaths of children under 18 years of age from drowning in 2022 which was higher than in previous years, which led to them working in partnership to produce the report.

Chris Cousens, Chair of Water Safety Wales said: “The aim of this report is to help inform the preventative work of water safety professionals in Wales to prevent future deaths of children and young people from water-related fatalities.

“The death of a child or young person has devastating and life changing impacts on families and the wider community.

“We are incredibly grateful to Carli for her strength and determination to make a difference in memory of Zac.

“It is sobering to reveal the almost half of the children and young people were taking part in activities where they had not intended entering the water, just like Zac when the fatal incident occurred.

“We are hoping the release of this report will encourage families to be aware of the risks and be mindful of the dangers of open water.”

Dr Rosalind Reilly, Consultant in Public Health for the Child Death Review Programme (CDRP) at Public Health Wales, said: “Drowning is the second most common cause of non-intentional injury fatalities in children under 18 years of age in Wales, after transport related fatalities.

“Very sadly, there were five deaths of children under 18 years old in Wales in 2022, so the Child Death Review Programme (CDRP) has worked with Water Safety Wales and RoSPA in order to produce this report examining water-related fatalities in children and young people under 25 between 2013 and 2022.

“Clearly, the death of a child or young person has devastating and life changing impacts on families and the wider community.

“This report will inform the work of water safety professionals, in order to prevent the same thing happening to others.”

Water Safety Wales’ key safety advice for children and young people to remember is: 

• Stop and think: Is it a safe place to swim? Are there hazards beneath the water? Are there hidden currents or fast-flowing water? How deep is it and can you get out easily?  
• Stay together: Always go with someone else 
• Float: If you get into trouble in the water, float to live until you feel calm 
• Call 999 or 112: If you see someone else in trouble in the water