Charity launches educational film and app for UK's Drowning Prevention Week

Royal Life Saving Society UK unveils new resources to help get its message across

The UK’s drowning prevention charity has launched a children’s film and app to help get its message across ahead of its annual campaign week later this month.

The Royal Life Saving Society has unveiled the animated film and interactive smart phone app as part of Drowning Prevention Week 2013, a campaign which aims to cut down the hundreds of deaths caused by accidental drowning across the UK every year.

Learn the SAFE Code with Perry and the Buoys features Perry Buoy a character who teaches children about the dangers of water and how to stay safe. It is aimed at primary school children and has a light-hearted feel but contains messages that could mean the difference between life and death if taken on board.

The film is also featured as part of the Drowning Prevention Week app, again aimed at primary aged children and also featuring key water safety messages and games including silly swimmers, three-in-a-row and colouring-in.

Chief Executive of the Royal Life Saving Society, Di Standley, said: “The film and app have been designed to make our messages as easily understood and accessible to children as possible, and they are great fun!

“These resources can be introduced by parents at home or are a great way for teachers to help spread water safety messages at school.

“We have had great feedback form children, parents and teachers so far and hope as many people as possible make use of these great resources.”

Drowning Prevention Week runs from 22-30 June 2013 and aims to drive home water safety messages throughout a targeted week of activities, which demonstrate how to stay safe and have fun near water.This year the educational campaign, particularly targeting children. Schools, leisure centres and community groups are all encouraged to take part by delivering water safety lessons or events, as well as raise money for the RLSS UK’s drowning prevention initiatives.

Accidental drowning causes more than 400 UK deaths every year, the equivalent of one person drowning every 20 hours. Drowning is still the third highest cause of accidental death in children in the UK.

Di Standley added: “These are deaths that could be prevented. They shouldn’t happen.If everyone stopped to think about basic water safety and made small changes to their behaviour, we are sure we could cut down the number of preventable, accidental drowning incidences that happen every year in the UK.

“We would urge as many groups and individuals to show their support and help save lives.”

The campaign aims to ensure everyone has knowledge and understanding of the SAFE code:

Spot– spot the dangers

Advice– follow safety signs and advice

Friend– stay close to a friend or family member

Emergency– shout for help and call 999

To download the host of resources that have been produced for the campaign and to find out more, visit www.drowningpreventionweek.org.uk or contact dpw@rlss.org.uk. Download the app from itunes store searching for SwimSAFE.