Water safety experts have been raising awareness on Exeter Quayside ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on Saturday 25 July.
It comes as schools break up for the summer holidays and temperatures remain high, tempting many youngsters to take the plunge.
However, the advice from the City Council is not to swim in the river or Exeter Ship Canal, where there are many hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Patrols are to be carried out, with Police assistance where necessary, to reduce the number of swimming incidents in the Canal and therefore the risk of drowning.
World Drowning Prevention Day is an annual event from the World Health Organisation. It aims to educate people on the dangers of water and to prevent drowning deaths around the world.
Representatives from the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service were on Exeter Quayside recently, sharing vital water safety advice and demonstrating how to respond if someone gets into difficulty in the water.
Quayside restaurants and businesses were also given expert training on how to throw lines into the water and help someone struggling if they need to.
Steve from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “Cold water shock will bring on involuntary gasping, it’s very easy in those circumstances to drown, so people need to know how to combat that and how to keep themselves safe.”
Every year in the UK, hundreds of people die in accidental drownings and alarmingly, many of them never meant to go into the water in the first place.
The theme for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026 is “Unite to turn the tide” with the goal of reducing drowning by 35% by 2035.
Over the past five years, the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service operational crews have responded to 12 fatal water rescue incidents, each one a tragic reminder of the dangers water can pose.
Steve added: “If you’re going to go into the water, choose a lifeguarded area, and places that are designated for swimming. So, check the signs around and see if it’s safe to swim in that area.”
The RNLI’s simple and memorable ‘Float to live’ campaign has helped save countless lives and is the best way to avoid cold water shock and give people time to compose themselves before calling for help or swimming to safety.
Amanda from the RNLI said: “What we’re encouraging people to do is if they find themselves in that situation, is to fight the instinct to swim, and to turn quickly to float. As they are restricting the possibility of inhaling water and starting the drowning process.”
More than 90% of global drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools. With many different sized waterways in Exeter and the local area, awareness on this campaign is crucial for residents.
Exeter City Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Support Services and City Management, Cllr Ruth Williams, said: “World Drowning Prevention Day is an important opportunity to remind everyone that water can be unpredictable, even for experienced swimmers.
“With the River Exe and Exeter Quay enjoyed by so many residents and visitors throughout the year, it is vital that people understand the risks and know what to do if they find themselves or someone else in difficulty.
“I would like to thank the RNLI and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for sharing their expertise and practical advice with our local community. By raising awareness of simple lifesaving messages, we can all play a part in helping to prevent avoidable tragedies and keep people safe around the water.”
Find out more here - World Drowning Prevention Day 2026
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