The National Sports Centre in Douglas has been giving primary school children advice on how to stay safe near water as part of Water Safety Awareness Week. Running from 18 to 25 June, it is a Royal Life Saving Society promotion with the aim of giving as many children as possible water safety awareness. Groups of children from Arbory, Fairfield and Manor Park schools received the training this week at the NSC. All the children thoroughly enjoyed the training and it gave them a much wider perspective of water safety. Pauline Glennon, swimming lesson co-ordinator at the NSC, said: ‘Children may be confident to enter the water but are often not competent enough to get themselves out of trouble. At this time of year just before school holidays it is vital that children are educated in the dangers of open water, holiday swimming pools and lakes and canals. With emphasis on safe swimming, the safest place to swim is at their local swimming pool.’ During the week all children attending NSC swimming lessons were given instruction on water safety awareness as part of their lesson. This included staying safe in and around water, spotting the dangers, how to get help, and what to do in case they or anyone else gets into danger. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘All the children who participated enjoyed learning these skills and had a lot of fun during the week. The important thing is that children were made aware that being in or near water is fun but also that water must be respected. That’s a vital message for our young people, living on an Island with 100 miles of coastline.’ It is hoped more schools will be involved in Water Safety Awareness Week next year. ENDS