Enjoy water safely this summer whether at home or on holiday

06 June 2025

As we look ahead to the warmer weather and the summer holidays, community safety partners across Darlington and County Durham have urged parents and youngsters to put safety first when out and about near water.

Tragically lives are lost every year in coastal and inland waters, but many of these deaths are preventable. In a bid to reduce the number of tragedies, Darlington and County Durham’s Open Water Safety Groups are once again backing the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Week (14-21 June).

The annual initiative is the biggest campaign of the year for RLSS UK and aims to raise awareness of water safety ahead of the summer holidays, a time when many people head outdoors and the risk of accidental drowning increases significantly.

Billy McAloon, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s Darlington District Manager, said: “If you do find yourself in trouble in the water, our advice is float to live.

“Tilt your head back with your ears under the water and use your hands to help you stay afloat. When you are floating, call for help or try to steer with your arms towards land.

“If you see someone in difficulty in the water, follow the Call, Tell, Throw advice. Call 999 and ask for the fire service. Explain where you are. If you are unsure of the location, look for landmarks or use the ‘what3words’ app. Tell the person in the water not to panic and to float on their back. Throw them something that floats such as a throw bag, if nearby.

“If they are attached to a rope, make sure you hold the end so you can pull the person in. If you manage to get the person out of the water, remember, they will always need medical attention as they may have hypothermia or water in the lungs.”

Cllr Jim Garner, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the summer, whether they’re planning a trip to the beach, a riverside walk or a holiday by the poolside.

“But we’re asking that they put safety first and that’s why we’re backing the RLSS UK campaign and working with partners to raise awareness of the Water Safety Code to help keep our children, young people and adults safe.”

The County Durham Open Water Safety Group is chaired by Durham County Council. Cllr Tim McGuinness, the authority’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Like everyone else, we’re looking forward to a hopefully hot summer and we know that will inevitably mean lots of people visiting rivers, lakes and beaches in the weeks and months ahead.

“We hope they enjoy themselves when doing so but it is really important that if they go in the water, they know the risks of doing so and that they take real care. It is also worth people taking time to familiarise themselves with safety advice issued by the RLSS and others if they’re planning to spend time in or around water.”

Matt Croxall, interim charity director at the RLSS UK, said: “Last Drowning Prevention Week, an estimated 1.25 million children used our resources to learn about water safety, but this year we want to see more young people being safe in, on and around water.

“We are grateful for Darlington Borough Council’s support and sharing our campaign with its partners. By doing so it reinforces the importance of water safety education ahead of the school holidays as more families and young people look to access open water, often in locations that they are unfamiliar with.

“Looking ahead, as a charity we hope to see everyone enjoying water safely in communities free from drowning.”

Think twice before taking the plunge this summer and follow some simple rules:

Never let young children go near water without an adult who can point out dangers or help if someone gets into trouble – we always advise keeping young children within arm’s reach near water.
Never jump in or suddenly immerse yourself in cold water as the shock could kill you.
Look out for warning signs and follow their instructions.
Stay together - never swim alone, always go with friends or family.
Don’t drink alcohol if you are taking part in water activities or walking near water.
If you fall in the water, don’t panic – extend your arms and legs to float and shout for help.
Learn what do if you see someone in difficulty: never get into the water to try to rescue them. Shout for help, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service and if possible, throw them something that floats.
Remember 999 calls on mobiles will find any network signal, even if your own network isn’t covered.
Download the what3words app on your phone – it gives the emergency services your exact location, even if you are in a remote spot, and will help them reach you more quickly.

Always follow the Water Safety Code whenever you are around water:

Stop and think Take time to assess your surroundings. Look for the dangers and always research local signs and advice.

Stay together When around water always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue.

Call 999 In an emergency call 999. Never enter the water to rescue.

Float If you fall in or become tired – stay calm, float on your back and shout for help. Throw something that floats, such as a football, to someone who has fallen in.

For more information about Drowning Prevention Week (14-21 June) visit www.rlss.org.uk where schools and other organisations can also download useful resources free.

The Darlington Open Water Safety Group consists of Darlington Borough Council, Durham Constabulary, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and other partners and aims to raise awareness of the dangers in and around water and promote key safety messages.

Photo caption L-R: Pippa Smaling, Darlington Borough Council countryside officer, and Billy McAloon, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s Darlington District Manager at Broken Scar.