MP’s in safety call

Water campaign

A West Lothian MP is calling on local people to take care around water this summer.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in the UK, with latest stats showing that, in the last five years, 48 children aged nine and under drowned, and 147 young people aged 10 to 19 lost their life.

Annually, around 400 people accidentally drown and summer months pose a particularly high-risk. Last year, 85 people drowned in July and August alone. Drowning Prevention Week, the national campaign which runs until June 26, and is organised by The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), aims to ensure everyone knows how to have fun and stay safe near water. Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP, Martyn Day, is backing the campaign. He said: “It’s shocking to think that around 400 people needlessly die from drowning in the UK every year. It’s vitally important to get water safety at the forefront of people’s minds and I urge everyone to make sure that they, and their families, learn how to stay safe.”

To find out how to stay safe around water this summer, contact your local leisure centre to see if they are running an event, or visit the RLSS UK’s website www. rlss. org. uk to access their water safety advice. Di Steer, RLSS UK’s director of communications and public affairs said: “We want as many people as possible to learn essential water safety skills, so that they can still have fun, but stay safe. We need everyone’s help to raise awareness about the reality of accidental drowning, and we’re delighted that Martyn Day is supporting us in our efforts.”