North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to be water aware ahead of Drowning Prevention Week 

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging parents and carers to talk to children and young people about water safety and the dangers of open-water swimming. 

The move comes ahead of Drowning Prevention Week, which will take place between 13 and 20 June 2026. 

71% of child drownings occur between May and August¹ and over the last five years, 3,615 people have drowned in the UK and Ireland ².  

Over the last 10 years, NYFRS have been involved in over 600 water rescue incidents in York and North Yorkshire. At least 10% of these incidents involved young people under 20. 

On warmer days, open water can look like a tempting place to cool off, but it can be extremely dangerous. Cold temperatures, hidden objects and vegetation can quickly affect a person’s ability to swim, turning a dip into a potentially fatal decision. 

Look out for your friends and don’t encourage anyone to jump into rivers or water on a night out. 

Data from the Water Incident Database reveals that 40% of people who accidentally drown had no intention of entering the water. Slips, trips and falls were often the cause of these accidents. 

Please take care if you walk or run near open water, especially if it’s been raining as this can make bank sides extra slippery. 

 NYFRS water safety advice is:  

• Don’t dive or jump straight into open water; this can cause potentially fatal cold-water shock, even on the warmest day.   

• Supervise children in and around water – drowning can happen fast and silently.

• Don’t drink alcohol if you’re planning any water-related activities. Alcohol impairs judgement and your ability to swim.

• Before entering water, know where the nearest safety equipment is located. Many areas now have safety equipment, such as buoyancy aids, nearby in case of emergencies.

• Always look for information notices near open water that advise you of potential hazards such as strong currents and hidden rocks.   

• If you unexpectedly find yourself in the water, don’t panic; extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effects of cold-water shock pass, shout for help. Find out more on the RNLI website https://rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water.   

• If you see someone in trouble in the water, don’t enter the water yourself; call 999 and ask for the fire service, if you are inland and call the Coastguard if you are at the beach. Tell the person to float on their back, look around and see if there’s any rescue equipment near-by or something that will float that you can throw to the person.  

  ENDS 

 
Sources 

¹‘National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) 2024 and 2025’ 

²WAID 2020-2024; WSI 2020-2024 

Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) | Drowning Prevention Week 

More information about water safety on our website Near water – North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service