Issued on: Friday 22 June 2018
LFRS AIMS TO REDUCE DROWNINGS WITH WATER SAFETY EVENT THIS WEEKEND
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is hosting a water safety event, ‘The Big Splash’ to reduce drownings this summer, following shocking statistics revealed by Drowning Prevention Week that 700 people die by accidental drowning in the UK and Ireland every year. Schools break up in just two weeks; they hope this event will educate the many families flocking to the seaside to be more water-savvy.
Dave George, Watch Manager for Community Safety at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said “We’re excited to hold our first water safety event this year in collaboration with Bosworth Water Park.
“We hope this event attracts families and those who are at a higher risk of drowning, such as young people, whilst also educating adults about the importance of CPR, which could save a loved one’s life if they get into trouble in water.”
Working with partner agencies, including the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Sea Cadets, Community First Responders and more, their aim is to educate families and young people on the dangers of open water, in order to reduce the number of tragic deaths this summer.
With plenty to get involved with, from learning CPR, to watching water demonstrations from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Technical Rescue team and the RNLI, to hook-a-duck with great Speedo prizes, along with all the other fun activities the park has on offer, it’s a great day out for all the family.
The Big Splash is on Sunday 24 June at Bosworth Water Park from 10am-4pm. There is no fee for the event, but usual car parking rates apply for the water park. The event marks the end of the RLSS’s Drowning Prevention Week which runs from 15-25 June 2018. More information can be found on the campaign on the following link:
https://rlss.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/drowning-prevention-week/
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Representatives from each partner agency will be available for interviews throughout the day through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications. Photos from the event will be available upon request.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire-related incidents have reduced by 43 percent.
During 2016/17, the Service attended 694 road traffic collisions, of which 148 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to 2,259 fires. 272 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,613 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 145 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project.
Contact:
Libby Wales
Corporate Communications Assistant
Direct: 0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
