Urgent warning over accidental drownings as temperatures across Dorset soar
Research by Bournemouth University shows accidental drownings are five times more likely during hot weather
Experts have issued an urgent warning around the increased risk of accidental drownings across Dorset as the hot weather continues.
A study by Bournemouth University has found people are five times more likely to lose their lives in the water if air temperatures exceed 25 degrees.
Professors found that teenagers and young adults are most likely to lose their lives by swimming in lakes and rivers, or on the coast.
Dawn Whittaker, chair of the National Water Safety Forum, told us: “I think we take water for granted and I would encourage families to talk to their children about where they are going to be spending their summer and to be aware of the risk.”
The National Water Safety Forum is urging people across the UK to brush-up on water safety and have vital conversations with loved ones this summer.
Annual figures in the Water Incident Database showed accidental drownings in 2023 rose to 236 – ten more than 2022.
Dawn Whittaker said: “We want people to enjoy the water safely and one of the key issues we see is people overestimating their ability to swim or underestimating the risk of water.”
Most of the incidents occurred inland, with 63% in rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries, while males are still the overwhelmingly majority of victims (83%).
Ms Whittaker added: “We haven’t had that extended summer period to improve the temperature of the water, so people should be aware that the water is still quite cold and prepare for that.”