Representative ImageABTA is partnering with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to raise awareness on how to stay safe in and around the water on holiday, particularly in an environment which is new to customers and their families. With the summer holidays fast approaching and off the back of RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week (14-21 June), now is a good time to encourage people to think about their safety and confidence in the water before they go away. The water safety charity and ABTA have worked together to produce the Holiday Water Safety Toolkit, to help ABTA members share advice with their customers.
With a number of reported accidental drownings of British people happening overseas this year, it is incredibly important that customers are aware of the potential hazards in the water and how to keep themselves safe.
The advice in the Holiday Water Safety Toolkit is based on RLSS UK’s Water Safety Code and has specific advice for travellers to stay safe when they’re abroad and know what to do in an emergency.
The advice encourages holidaymakers to:
- Be prepared by practising their skills before going away and packing brightly coloured swimwear
- Keep children within arm’s reach and supervise them at all times, even when a lifeguard is present
- Stick together when near the water
- Learn what to do if they get into trouble
ABTA members can access the toolkit by visiting the Marketing Toolkit on the Member Zone at abta.com/marketingtoolkit. The toolkit includes social media graphics, pre-written social media posts and a blog. The toolkit can be used throughout the summer in members’ customer marketing channels.
Graeme Buck, ABTA Director of Communications, said: “Having fun in the water is at the heart of so many people’s holidays but sadly each year some people do get into difficulty, with some losing their lives in the water.
“Accidents are less likely if people have the right knowledge to enjoy water safely with friends and family.
“This is why we are working with the RLSS UK so that our members can share the charity’s clear and concise advice to help customers and their families have fun in the water safely.”
Charity Director at RLSS UK, Matt Croxall, said: “Holidays are the perfect time for families to enjoy the water together and with the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s an important time to think about water safety. The Water Safety Code is an easy way to start the conversation with your family to ensure a fun and safe holiday. This, along with our partnership with ABTA, will allow us to reach as many families as possible with the vital water safety advice in the toolkit ahead of their trips.”
