30/07/2024

The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has released research, including insights from the Royal Life Saving society UK (RLSS UK), which shows a concerning relationship between increases in accidental drowning deaths when warmer weather hits the UK – urging people to Respect the Water and stay safe as the weather heats up.  

This is one of two independent pieces of research, one from RLSS UK, and another by Bournemouth University[2]. Both conclude that significantly more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather.

Dr Sam Hills, from Bournemouth University, explains: “The data indicates when UK average maximum air temperatures reach or exceed 25°C, there is a fivefold increase in accidental drowning risk when compared to days with an average of 10°C. Analysis also shows three times as many accidental drowning fatalities occur on days when air temperatures reach 25°C or more, when compared to the seasonal average.”

RLSS UK’s analysis also highlights the risk of taking a swim to cool off, as 57% of those who accidently drowned on days exceeding 25°C were swimming, almost three times higher than average[3]. During peak temperatures, the findings also conclude that teenagers and young adults are proportionately more likely to lose their lives.

Speaking about the research, Matt Croxall, RLSS UK Charity Director, commented: “These findings are alarming and reinforce the importance of knowing how to enjoy the water safely, as every year we hear about preventable tragedies in open water when temperatures rise. We are sharing this new insight ahead of the coming periods of hot weather to encourage people to have the water safety conversation with loved ones, particularly teenagers and young adults, about how to stay safe near water and to know to call 999 in an emergency.”

Ross MacLeod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, added: “It’s well known that people’s behaviour changes during periods of warmer weather, with many heading to open water sites to cool off and enjoy water-related activities.

“The best way to keep yourself and others safe is to visit supervised locations and know what to do in a water emergency.”

Both research teams worked with the Met Office to use its data, combined with fatality data from the NWSF’s Water Incident Database (WAID).

Chris Walsh, Met Office Head of Warnings and Guidance, said: “Being prepared and aware of the dangers when there’s hot weather is the best way of keeping everyone safe. We know many people want to enjoy hot weather, but it’s important everyone knows the advice from RLSS UK and RNLI about what to do if they get in trouble in the water.”

[1] A Headline Exploration of the Relationship Between Air Temperature and Accidental Drowning Fatalities in the UK’, RLSS UK (July, 2024).

[2] The Bournemouth University study has been published in the journal Preventative Medicine. Association Between Air Temperature and Unintentional Drowning Risk in the United Kingdom, 2012-2019: A Nationwide Case-Crossover Study’, Preventative Medicine (Hills et al, 2024).

[3] Compared to 20% of all accidental drownings.

For more summer water safety advice