#GetWaterWise: Drowning causes more child deaths than fires and cycling - MPs tell government
Stories of those bereaved by accidental drowning have their voices heard in a Parliamentary debate on improving access to water education
A group of MPs, including Clacton's, are joining calls for water safety education in our schools to be improved.
Stats show that 254 people died by accidental drowning last year.
30 of them were under the age of 20.
Our #GetWaterWise campaign is raising awareness of the risks of open water, and sharing stories of those who've lost loved ones in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the sea.
Water Safety debate in Parliament
MPs debated the need for better water safety education in Parliament after Lancashire mum Becky Ramsay secured more than 100,000 signatures on her petition.
Becky's son Dylan died in a drowning accident 10 years ago, and since then she's campaigned for greater knowledge of the risks of going in open water.
During the debate, MPs, led by Newcastle MP Catherine McKinnell, set out the facts around deaths like Dylan's and asked the government to expand the current guidelines over fears some children were missing out on vital messages, or lessons were not being delivered to a high enough standard.
Catherine told us:
"We've got more children dying in water than bikes, but we've got campaigns for cycling proficiency, we've got more (dying in water) than in fires, yet we've got campaigns for smoke detectors, so I think the time has come now for us to have that same preventative education for children about the water"
Hove MP Peter Kyle, Slough's Tan Dhesi, Clacton's Giles Watling and Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish also shared stories from their constituencies.
WATCH: MP Catherine McKinnell joins Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle to discuss improving water safety in schools
Speaking on behalf of the government, Schools Minister Nick Gibb defended the current rules, stating water safety education was already included in the national curriculum.
The Minister said he was keen to meet with campaigners to see how current provisions and resources could be delivered effectively to young people.
A Department for Education statement said: "Water safety is a vital life skill, which is why it is a mandatory part of the curriculum for Physical Education at primary school.
"The curriculum states that pupils should be taught to perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
"The Department recognises that children have missed out on opportunities to be taught how to swim and to be safe in and around water due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"The Department is continuing to work closely with Swim England, The Royal Life Saving Society UK, Canal and River Trust and the Association for Physical Education to support pupils being taught how to swim and to be taught water safety through a number of routes."
Government response "incredibly disappointing"
Catherine McKinnell said: “Far too many families have lost loved ones to water accidents that with the right knowledge are highly preventable.
"The Minister’s response was incredibly disappointing. We know this is already on the curriculum, the problem is that it’s just not happening in every school. We know schools can use the PE and Sport Premium for water safety, but this isn’t a sport, it’s a lifesaving skill.
"The Government needs to fund schools to deliver this and make sure it’s happening. It’s not expensive and it’s not complicated – we know something as simple as a 20-minute classroom-based lesson can make a huge difference. We owe it to our children, and the families who have lost loved ones in the water to make that happen.”
Get more on our #GetWaterWise campaign
Share these water safety tips before heading out this summer
Follow this advice, and stay safe around water
During hot summer days, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea can look really tempting.
But beneath the surface can lie hidden dangers, cold temperatures an unexpected currents.
The Royal Life Saving Society has this advice to stay safe.
Look out for lifeguards
If you're looking for a place to cool off always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it.
It's stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don't swim against it – you'll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help.