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Are water risks well-known?

12th - 19th June 2026

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53626

Total votes

9843

5-11 votes

43780

11-16+ votes

Recent hot weather has seen people flock to rivers, lakes and beaches to relax, play and spend quality time with their loved ones. Tragically, since 5th June, at least 17 people - including 11 teenagers - have died in accidents involving water across the country. Attempting to prevent any more deaths, various water safety organisations, from the RNLI to the Royal Life Saving Society, are urging caution when it comes to trying to cool down in the heat. The problem is often one of awareness, with many not knowing the potential dangers that water can present, from cold water shock to hidden machinery under the surface. With the UK facing a future of hotter and hotter summers, are young people confident that they can keep themselves safe in the water?

39,275 young people voted on this topic, with many more debating and discussing in their classrooms.

Primary 5-11 were asked, "Should you learn more about water safety?"

Secondary and 16+ & College were asked, "Are water risks well-known?"

child

5-11 voter

I have learnt that knowing the risks gives me the confidence to enjoy the water.

teen

11-16 voter

It is well known, they just don't care.

student

11-16 voter

Some people might know the risks but choose to ignore it because they feel pressured by their friends

Feedback from our impact partners

Thank you to Sam Johnson from the RNLI, Ashley Jones from the Royal Life Saving Society and Mike Tipton from The National Water Safety Forum for responding to our findings.

Mike Tipton, Chair of The National Water Safety Forum said:

“The results from the VoteTopic show that children and young people want to learn more about water safety and better understand the risks associated with different water environments. We are encouraged by the thoughtful views and strong interest they have shown in learning how to stay safe around water. Many highlighted the need for greater awareness of hazards such as cold water, understanding safety signs and knowing what to do in an emergency, particularly around rivers, lakes and other open water locations. The National Water Safety Forum will use these findings to work with partners across the UK to improve water safety education, raise awareness of key risks and help ensure that children and young people have the knowledge and confidence to stay safe around water.”

88.7% of Primary voters said that they should be learning more about water safety.

  • Primary voters were strongly in favour of learning more about water safety.
  • Lots of pupils made links to their learning in swimming lessons and described the confidence this had given them when it comes to keeping themselves safe in the water.
  • The majority of voters saw it as an important thing to learn about, valuing keeping both themselves and their friends and families safe.
Secondary voters were divided 50/50 as to whether water risks are well-known.

  • Many voters thought that, while they knew water risks themselves, others did not.
  • Lots of students were shocked to hear about the numbers of water deaths and wanted to see action taken to prevent further accidents.
  • Some argued that water risks were less important to know depending on your location, such as the inner city, for example.
Many voters said that people know the potential risks but just didn't think they would happen to them.

  • A common argument was that, while young people know the risks, they just don't think that they will happen to them.
  • Peer pressure cropped up repeatedly in discussions, with students suggesting that many often ignore the risks due to social pressure.
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