Met Office About our Partnership The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) are working strategically with the Met Office in support of information for their WeatherReady pages to help to inform the public about staying safe in, on and around water. We work closely together to look at how the weather impacts on the risks while out and about. Our joined-up work helps people make the safest choices depending on the weather. Winter #WeatherHack Winter is coming so make sure you’re WeatherReady with #WeatherHacks. As the dark nights draw in be sure to take a light on any evening walk near water.The risk of falling increases when it is dark and icy, but pair this with slippery riverbanks and muddy towpaths, the risk becomes greater. Of those who drowned in winter, 68% did not intend to be in the water (WAID, 2018-2022).Taking a light will ensure you can see where you’re stepping and avoid any dangerous routes. If you’re using the torch on your phone, always make sure your phone is fully charged before you go out. Find out more about how to stay safe around water during the winter visit www.rlss.org.uk/winter-water-safety Summer #WeatherHack Always choose brightly coloured swimwear to stay visible and safe when in the water. Avoid buying blue, white or grey swimwear for you or your family. Research highlights that two thirds (66%) of children wear blue, white or grey swimwear, which is less visible underwater, meaning that if they get into trouble swimming, they are extremely hard to spot (On the Beach, 2024). Find out more about how to stay safe around water during the summer www.rlss.org.uk/summer-water-safety Our Research New research shows alarming relationship between higher UK air temperatures and spikes in drowning This is one of two independent pieces of research, one from RLSS UK, and another by Bournemouth University. Both conclude that significantly more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather. Both research teams worked with the Met Office to use its data, combined with fatality data from the NWSF’s Water Incident Database (WAID). A Headline Exploration of the Relationship Between Air Temperature and Accidental Drowning Fatalities in the UK’, RLSS UK (July, 2024). About the Met Office The Met Office is the UK’s national weather and climate service. They combine weather, climate science and data with expert insights to help people make decisions every day, based on the weather and changing climate, so they can be safe, well and prosperous. The Met Office WeatherReady pages provide up-to-date, expert seasonal advice from carefully selected organisations to help you prepare for, and respond to the weather, to stay safe and protect yourself, your homes and businesses. Links & Contacts Met Office | WeatherReady website Met Office | Winter #WeatherHacks webpage Met Office | Facebook Met Office | Instagram Met Office | LinkedIn Met Office | X Met Office | Youtube Met Office | Snapchat Manage Cookie Preferences