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World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July is a reminder that simple actions can help save lives. Learn how supervision, water safety awareness, swimming skills and CPR knowledge can contribute to safer experiences in and around water.

Every year on 25 July, communities around the world recognise World Drowning Prevention Day, a global initiative that raises awareness of drowning prevention and promotes actions that can help save lives. The day serves as an important reminder that while drowning remains a serious issue worldwide, it is often preventable through education, awareness and safe behaviours around water.

The National Water Safety Summit 2026 also brought together experts, leaders, researchers and advocates to strengthen collaboration and drive national progress on drowning prevention.

For many Australians, water plays a central role in recreation, exercise and family life. Whether visiting an aquatic centre, enjoying time at the beach, heading out on a boat or relaxing by a backyard pool, understanding water safety is essential.

The key message behind World Drowning Prevention Day is simple: Anyone can drown, but no one should.

While no single action can eliminate all risk, there are practical steps everyone can take to make time around water safer.

  • Supervise children actively and continuously whenever they are in or around water. Staying close, maintaining constant visual contact and avoiding distractions can significantly reduce risk.
  • Build swimming and water safety skills. Swimming lessons can help people of all ages develop confidence in the water while learning valuable safety knowledge and survival skills.
  • Learn CPR and emergency response skills. In a critical situation, knowing how to respond can make a life-saving difference while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
  • Check pool safety barriers and gates regularly to ensure they are secure and functioning correctly, helping to prevent unsupervised access to water.
  • Make informed decisions around water. Understanding conditions, following safety signage and encouraging safe behaviours all contribute to safer aquatic environments.

Drowning prevention is a shared responsibility. By working together – as parents, carers, swimmers, facility users and community members – we can help create safer experiences for everyone.

This World Drowning Prevention Day, take a moment to consider one action you can take to improve water safety. Whether it’s refreshing your CPR skills, enrolling in swimming lessons, supervising more actively or sharing water safety information with others, every action counts.

Together, we can help raise awareness, reduce risk and support safer communities around water.

Anyone can drown, but no one should.

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