World Drowning Prevention Day takes place on July 25th
Every experience around water holds the potential to teach, inspire, and protect others. Whether it’s a moment of quick thinking during a rescue, a lesson learned from a near miss, or a personal reflection on water safety, your voice matters.
This World Drowning Prevention Day, we’re encouraging people across Ireland to come together, raise awareness, and share their water safety stories. By speaking up, you can help others understand the risks, make safer choices, and ultimately prevent future tragedies.
Use the hashtag #DrowningPrevention and join the conversation
Anyone Can Drown, No one Should.
In Ireland, the average number of drownings in 2023 and 2024 was 78 per year*, compared to 116 per year between 2018 and 2022. This represents a 33% decrease in average annual drownings. While this progress is encouraging, one life lost is still one too many. Every drowning is a preventable tragedy, and there is more we can do.
*Provisional data from the Central Statistics Office and is subject to change To read the full WSI National Drowning Report please click here.
Seven minutes to save lives this summer….
Please share this information session with your friends and local school contacts so that as many children as possible get to watch it during World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25th) and beyond….
Share the Video: Play the video at community centres, children’s summer camps, and local events. Educate: Use the video to discuss water safety tips with family, friends, and community members. Promote: Share the video on your social media platforms using the hashtag #DrowningPrevention
In April 2021, the United Nations General Assembly approved the first ever resolution on Drowning Prevention.
On April 28 2021, The United Nations General Assembly approved their first ever resolution on Drowning Prevention. The resolution is an initiative of both Ireland and Bangladesh who along with co-sponsoring member states can be proud of this historic UN effort to save lives. An important, memorable day for the drowning prevention community worldwide.
GO BLUE FOR WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY
We are going blue for World Drowning Prevention Day and encouraging everybody to go blue too. No matter who you are, you can play a role in highlighting drowning prevention in your local community. Consider illuminating your organisations’ building in the colour blue, light up a window in your area or bring the colour blue and #DrowningPrevention to your social media networks with our shareable images.
IRELAND GOES BLUE FOR WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY – JULY 25 2024
See our gallery to find out how you can go blue for World Drowning Prevention Day. Send your photos to goblue@watersafety.ie to be featured.
Lots of people are marking this historic day to raise awareness for drowning prevention and water safety.
Join them in commemorating this special occasion.
Anyone can drown – no one should.
Click here to visit the WHO Campaign page.
Galway Cartoon Festival Raises Funds for Water Safety
Water Safety Ireland appreciate the efforts of Galway Cartoon Festival to increase awareness of drowning prevention through fundraising efforts. They are holding an auction of water safety themed cartoons, which are available to view at premises across Galway.
To place a bid:
Email auction@galwaycartoonfestival.ie and include the following:
- Cartoon Number
- Your Maximum Bid (€200+)
IMAGES
Our images are available in a number of formats. Share with them with your networks using #DrowningPrevention in advance of July 25th and on World Drowning Prevention Day itself.
Videos
Past The Point Of Rescue Poem
Inis Oírr go blue for World Drowning Prevention Day
Galway for World Drowning Prevention Day
For more videos please visit our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Help Bring Our Drownings Down
Share Our Messages
Early Learning and Care
Every Early Learning And Care Centre in Ireland has now received our latest water safety resource which is packed with colourful storyboards and tips that Educators are imparting to young children in their care.
Mark WDPD as an Educator by sharing the resource pack between classes – all storyboards are laminated for easy cleaning.
Mark WDPD as a parent or guardian by continuing that conversation at home.
Everything you need is here: www.holdhands.ie.
Primary School Children
Our online learning resource is written and designed for all primary school age groups. It has beautiful illustrations, a wealth of tips and advice, and all sorts of interactive games and puzzles to reinforce important lessons.
It offers simple common sense that every parent can easily guide their children through while having fun too.
Mark WDPD by engaging with your children through these resources.
Everything you need is here: www.teachpaws.ie
Become An Ambassador
Our friends and loved ones all deserve to know how they can stay safe from drowning when enjoying our beautiful waterways.
Mark WDPD: Become a Water Safety Ireland Ambassador by sharing any of the following advice using #DrowningPrevention and together, let’s bring drownings down.
Rip Currents
Rip currents: what are they and what do I do to escape one?
Share any of the resources here: https://watersafety.ie/rip-currents/
Angling
Safe Angling: Share our videos on safe angling at rivers and lakes and detailed guidelines to plan a perfectly safe trip: https://watersafety.ie/angling/
Open Water Swimming
Safe Open Water Swimming:
Open water swimming has both physical and mental health benefits for us all.
All available here: https://watersafety.ie/open-water-swimming/
PAST EVENTS
World Drowning Prevention Day 2023
World Drowning Prevention Day 2022
