To mark World Drowning Prevention Day on Thursday, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has issued crucial water safety advice.
As a symbol for World Drowning Prevention Day, 11 organisations from Tyne and Wear demonstrated a united floating circle at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside.
Data from the World Health Organization, the head campaigner for WDPD, reveals that roughly 250,000 individuals drown yearly, nearly 82,000 of those are children aged between 1 and 14.
The advice issued includes mimicking a starfish which can help maintain calm and buy crucial time before help arrives.
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Tommy Richardson, TWFRS water safety lead, said: “For any parent or family member, the issue of drowning is heart-wrenching, as a large majority of the time the source of the accident or incident is preventable.
“This year’s campaign theme ‘Anyone can drown, no one should’ and ‘Seconds can save life’ shows the importance of remembering to float like a starfish can save life-saving seconds.
“Please spare a moment this World Drowning Prevention Day to learn the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s essential water safety advice.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service requests the public dial 999 when reporting emergency incidents and 112 if you see someone in trouble along the coast.
As part of World Drowning Prevention Day, TWFRS, along with partners, has planned a free water safety event on Newcastle Quayside on July 28, from 11 am to 3 pm.