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 by 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 Water.
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, has 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.
Tom’s mum, Vicki Jones said “We sent Tom off to university with a list of dos 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.”
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 Joneses 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 to be a hero.”
Station Commander John Elsworth from the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Prevention department said: “Every year, lives are lost to the water, often in the blink of an eye, and when no one expected it. That’s why we’re working with our partners to change the story.
“It starts with awareness — staying back from the edge, making safe choices, always staying together, and knowing what to do if the worst happens. If you find yourself in trouble, don’t panic. Lie back, keep your head above water, and float. This is more than a campaign. It’s about giving people the tools to get home safely.”
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 see the campaign video click here: https://www.hwfire.org.uk/advice/water-safety/