Water Safety and Window Safety
In July 2023, the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) published its thematic report - deaths of children and young people due to traumatic incidents - which highlighted evidence of an increase in the number of child drowning deaths in England, from 20 in 2019-20 to 37 in 2021-22
Child Drowning Update September 2024: England | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
NHS Frimley are championing resources to reach all, with a focus on parents and carers of children under 5, and individuals aged between 13-17 years old.
No child should drown, and with the right water safety education – such as knowledge of the Water Safety Code – accidental drownings are preventable.
Please help spread the word and encourage everyone to have the water safety conversation with children.
Share the water safety code The Water Safety Code | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
which includes a video Water Safety Code Cartoon on Vimeo
Some staggering facts:
A lack of supervision remains a contributory factor across all accidental child drownings, and where recorded 86% occurred when the child was unsupervised by an adult.
In four years 2 in 3 children that drowned at home did so in the bath – this totalled 35 deaths in four years.
In total there were 125 child drowning deaths in England between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2023.
Of these:
43% were aged under 5 years old
16% were aged 5 – 12 years old
41% were aged 13 – 17 years old
Of the total 71% were male children.
Drowning Prevention week – the campaign runs each year in June. Frimley ICB have put together some slides in the presentation document below which contain useful resources/assets to help promote water safety for Drowing Prevention Week 2025 (8-14 June) and throughout the year.
Drowning prevention week 2025
Window Safety
One child under five is admitted to hospital every day after falling from an open window, or balcony. Pre-school children are particularly at risk as not only do they not sense the danger but they are very curious and sometimes parents or carers may not even be aware of what they are capable of.
- Make sure that children cannot reach windows, and that they are kept locked
- If opening a window, make sure children are supervised
- Don't keep furniture near windows that could be climbed upon
NHS Berkshire Healthcare have shared a short video in the link below.
Window safety | Children Young People and Families Online Resource
Additional information on keeping your child safe in the home
Accidents and injuries - Keeping your child safe in the home :: Frimley HealthierTogether