This World Drowning Prevention Day, agencies across West Mercia are uniting, alongside the families of those affected by drowning to promote water safety and prevent further tragedies.
The Home and Dry campaign is backed a number of partners including West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Search and Rescue, RLSS UK, RNLI and Severn Trent.
Collectively the campaign aims to encourage people to be aware of the dangers, and to develop and share educational resources to ensure water safety is embedded in people’s minds from an early age. Extensive resources have been developed for use in classrooms since the campaign first began in 2017, with the ultimate aim that water safety would have a greater part in the National Curriculum.
The family of Tom Jones, who lost his life in the River Severn in Worcester in 2018, have continued to back the campaign, calling for the sharing of water safety messages to prevent other families experiencing what they have been through.
Agencies are coming together in Worcester and Ironbridge today to re-launch the campaign, with demonstrations from key agencies highlighting how people can keep themselves safe, enjoy the water safety and know what to do if they do get into trouble in the water.
New videos are also being released, including an impactive video, from the Jones family explaining the loss of Tom and how this has driven them to raise awareness.
--------------------------------------Statement from Jones’ family ------------------------------------------
Tom’s mum, Vicki Jones said “We sent Tom off to university with a list of do’s and don’ts but one thing I didn’t say was stay away from the water. It didn’t enter my head that this would be an issue.
When we lost Tom, your world falls apart. I can’t even describe how it feels. All I know is I never want another family to go through what we went through in those days, weeks, months. The days were really dark. It changes your life forever.”
-----------------------------------Statement from West Mercia Police----------------------------------------
Sergeant Rob Seewoosaha who supported the Jones family said “Please take note of this campaign and see the impact it has on families like the Jones’ and other families who lose someone to rivers, quarries, seas or any type of water. People don’t know what they’ve got until it’s gone.
“You don’t want it happening to you, it’s heart- wrenching. It affects us and it affects the whole community. We are here to save lives and when you can’t do that it’s really difficult to deal with. We take it home with us, but families have to carry it forever.
“Please be sensible. Water can be nasty. Go home, dry and be safe, Be with your mates. Try not be a hero.”
-------------------- Statement from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner------------------
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I have long supported this campaign, and it aims, as I want to ensure we are doing all we can to ensure people get home safely.
“We are lucky to live in a such a beautiful area, with people wanting to naturally enjoy the varied waterways that we have. Whether that’s running or walking by them, enjoying nights out by them or swimming in them. Sadly, we know all too well, the dangers that water can bring.
“I am proud to, once again, be working with partners, West Mercia Police, and fire services as we all have a responsibility to ensure that everyone gets home and dry.”
----------------------------------------Statement from RLSS UK-----------------------------------------------
Andy Lane, Education Manager at RLSS UK said: “Water safety education is essential—often serving as a child’s only opportunity to learn how to stay safe in, on, and around water. RLSS UK is committed to removing barriers by providing free, class-based resources for schools and students of all ages. This ensures every child can benefit from vital water safety knowledge, even if they don’t have regular access to aquatic environments.
“All of our resources are closely aligned with the Water Safety Code, helping children build a safe and respectful relationship with water. We hope these early lessons spark a lifelong connection to aquatic activities, promoting both the physical and mental wellbeing that time spent in, on or near water can bring.”
------------------------------Statement from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service-------------------
Cathryn Williams, Prevention Officer - Road & Water Safety at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We're pleased to be working with our partners to spread such a pivotal lifesaving message. Unfortunately, we have seen some extremely tragic incidents where people have sadly lost their lives.
"Now the message is more important than ever, get yourself and your loved ones home safe by staying away from the edge and following our water safety tips and remembering 'Float to Live' if you get into trouble in the water – float on your back, tilt head back so ears are in the water, relax and control your breathing, move hands and legs to keep afloat – your legs may sink and that’s OK as everyone floats differently – practise ‘Finding Your Float’ at a supervised location like a swimming pool.
----------------------------Statement from West Mercia Search and Rescue-------------------------------
Mark Eccleston from WMSAR said: “ West Mercia Search and Rescue and incredibly honoured to continue to support the Home and Dry campaign. Promoting key water safety messages to
the community could mean lives being saved and removal of the feelings of loss from such tragic events.
----------------------------------------- Statement from Severn Trent------------------------------------------
Donna Marshall, Senior Visitor Engagement Lead at Severn Trent, said: “We welcome thousands of visitors to our sites every summer across the Midlands and have some unmanned reservoirs across the West Mercia area. We always urge people to stay out of the water to keep safe, it’s not just cold, it’s dangerous. Beneath the surface are strong currents and hidden hazards and machinery moving water. By joining forces through Home and Dry, we hope to deliver this message clearly and help prevent members of the community getting into trouble.”
For water safety advice visit: · RLSS UK- Education Resources: Water Safety Education Resources for Schools · Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (Linked to RLSS UK) Water Safety | Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service · Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (Linked to RLSS UK) Water Safety | Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (including Makaton resources) · RNLI: Float To Live – What To Do In An Emergency – RNLI
For more information on the campaign, including the campaign videos click here: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/police-forces/west-mercia-police/areas/...
