“As an island nation, the water is part of who we are, but that doesn’t mean we can take water safety for granted. World Drowning Prevention Day is a day for all of us to remember loved ones and friends lost to drowning, and the best way you can do that is by practising water safety in everything you do. Make it part of the conversation that you have with family and friends. Together, we can bring drownings down.” 

Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Islands. 

Do One Thing, Improve One Thing, Add One Thing To Help Prevent Drownings

Mark World Drowning Prevention Day by doing one thing, improving one thing and adding one thing. Learn one water safety skill. Share one piece of water safety advice. Change one mind about safety around water. Be the one who takes responsibility, because for someone at risk of drowning, your one thing could mean the world.

#drowningprevention

Statement from Uachtarán Na hÉireann, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

President of Ireland and Water Safety Ireland Patron, Michael D. Higgins is lending his support to World Drowning Prevention Day.

A Proud And Historic Moment For Drowning Prevention, The UN and Ireland

The United Nations General Assembly has approved the first ever resolution on Drowning Prevention. The resolution was an initiative of both Ireland and Bangladesh who along with co-sponsoring member states can be proud of this historic UN effort to save lives. An important, memorable day for the drowning prevention community worldwide.

Read the resolution here

Visit the WHO campaign page

Read more here

GO BLUE FOR WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY

We are going blue for World Drowning Prevention Day and encouraging everybody to go blue too. No matter who you are, you can play a role in highlighting drowning prevention worldwide. Consider illuminating your organisations’ building in the colour blue, light up a window in your area or bring the colour blue and #DrowningPrevention to your social media networks with our shareable images.

IRELAND GOES BLUE FOR WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY – JULY 25 2023

See our gallery to find out how you can go blue for World Drowning Prevention Day. Send your photos to [email protected] to be featured.

Lots of people are marking this historic day to raise awareness for drowning prevention and water safety.

Join them in commemorating this special occasion.

Anyone can drown – no one should.

Help Bring Our Drownings Down

Share Our Messages

Early Learning and Care

Every Early Learning And Care Centre in Ireland has now received our latest water safety resource which is packed with colourful storyboards and tips that Educators are imparting to young children in their care.

Mark WDPD as an Educator by sharing the resource pack between classes – all storyboards are laminated for easy cleaning.

Mark WDPD as a parent or guardian by continuing that conversation at home.

Everything you need is here: www.holdhands.ie.

Primary School Children

Our online learning resource is written and designed for all primary school age groups. It has beautiful illustrations, a wealth of tips and advice, and all sorts of interactive games and puzzles to reinforce important lessons.

It offers simple common sense that every parent can easily guide their children through while having fun too.

Mark WDPD by engaging with your children through these resources.

Everything you need is here: www.teachpaws.ie

Become An Ambassador

Our friends and loved ones all deserve to know how they can stay safe from drowning when enjoying our beautiful waterways.

Mark WDPD: Become a Water Safety Ireland Ambassador by sharing any of the following advice using #DrowningPrevention and together, let’s bring drownings down.

Rip Currents

Rip currents: what are they and what do I do to escape one?

Share any of the resources here: https://watersafety.ie/rip-currents/

Angling

Safe Angling: Share our videos on safe angling at rivers and lakes and detailed guidelines to plan a perfectly safe trip: https://watersafety.ie/angling/

Open Water Swimming

Safe Open Water Swimming:

Open water swimming has both physical and mental health benefits for us all.

Share any of our five safety videos, safety brochure, hypothermia leaflet, real time information about coastal and freshwater water temperatures around Ireland, tides, and water quality.

All available here: https://watersafety.ie/open-water-swimming/

Videos

Together, We Can Prevent Drownings

Islands around Ireland Go Blue for

World Drowning Prevention Day

Do One Thing to help prevent drownings

Past The Point Of Rescue Poem

Inis Oírr go blue for World Drowning Prevention Day

Galway for World Drowning Prevention Day

PAST EVENTS

World Drowning Prevention Day 2022

World Drowning Prevention Day 2021