ABTA urges families to Swim Safe this summer

AS FAMILIES get ready to head away for their summer holidays, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is urging them to Swim Safe.

According to statistics published by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 30 children under ten years old have drowned in holiday swimming pools abroad over a six-year period, with more than half of these victims under four years old. Last year, ABTA was made aware of 19 fatal drownings abroad of UK holidaymakers, 7 in swimming pools and 12 in the sea.

Families are urged to take care and always follow pool and beach rules and signs, check the pool lay-out to know where the deep and shallow ends are, and never leave children unsupervised. 

ABTA’s top tips for swimming safety:

• Brush up on your swimming skills before you go away 
• If you’ve got kids, get in the water with them 
• Always follow pool rules and local signs 
• Check the pool layout 
• Check warning flags and signage on the beach 
• Beware of dangerous currents 
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth 
• Don’t dive or jump from rocks, piers, breakwaters, or poolside furniture
• Never swim alone; buddy up’ with others in your party 
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol 
• Know how and where to get help if you see someone in difficulty 

Even if you swim regularly in a pool, remember that open water can be very different; cold water reduces significantly the distance that you can swim, even for strong swimmers

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

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