Legal News

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has joined with other fire and rescue services across the UK to raise awareness of water safety and the everyday dangers of being near water.

Fire and rescue services supported the Chief Fire Officers Association’s (CFOA) Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week 2016 at the end of April, where services offered advice to people on what they should look out for when near water – and how to change their behaviour to minimise their risk of drowning.

A total of 44% of people who drowned in 2014 had no intention of entering the water, research shows. Trips, falls or underestimating the risks associated with being near water meant that 302 people lost their lives.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Services says that by asking people to be “water aware” it aims to reduce the number of fatalities.

CFRS says that, in the five years between 2008 and 2013, there were 88 fire deaths in the southwest – while in 2013 alone, a total of 53 people lost their lives in drowning accidents in the same area.

During 2014, a total of 138 walkers or runners, 14 anglers and four cyclists drowned in the UK. The fire and rescue service says that it is these largely preventable accidents that it is striving to reduce.

Cornwall and other fire services around the country are collaborating with other agencies and charities, working towards a goal of a reduction in drowning by 50% by 2026.

CFRS’s Andy Reynolds said:

“Sadly, it is clear from the statistics that many people who drown had no intention of entering water when they left home.

“They end up there because of accidents, trying to help someone else, or save an animal.

“Water temperatures are still very cold at this time of the year – and it will disable even the strongest swimmer very quickly.

“We urge people not to enter the water, as this often just adds to the problems – call 999 and look around for lifesaving equipment to throw, or anything that might help a casualty stay afloat.”

CFOA’s Water safety lead, Dawn Whittaker, said:

“Most people would be shocked to hear that those people drowning just happen to be near water – such as runners, walkers and fisherman.

“They are unaware of the risks – and are totally unprepared for the scenario of ending up in the water.

“By highlighting this issue and making sure simple safety messages reach them, we hope to reduce the number of those needless deaths.”

Figures show that most adults and children involved in swimming pool accidents and drowning accidents on holidays overseas do so within the first 24 hours of arriving in resort.

It is thought this is because adults may enter the water while tired after a long journey, or after having their first alcoholic drink on arrival – or children may stray into water while their parents are tired and recovering from the journey and are not as vigilant as they normally would be.

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Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered injury in a swimming pool as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims involving faulty diving boards, damage to pool steps, lack of lifesaving equipment or a lifeguard – or infections such as cryptosporidiosis caused by insufficient disinfecting of swimming pool water.

Personal injury claims usually have to be made within three years of injury or illness – children can make personal injury claims up to the age of 21.

Duncan Lewis can also advise bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life in a swimming pool accident on a package holiday which was caused by negligence on how to make a claim for compensation.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Swimming Pool Injury/Accident Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.