Greek Red Cross launches eight water‑safety guidelines ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day

The Hellenic Red Cross, through its Lifesaving School and as part of the nationwide "We enjoy water safely" campaign, issued eight practical tips to reduce drowning risk. Recent data from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control shows an average of 378 water‑related deaths per year in Greece over the past five years, with the World Health Organization ranking drowning as the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide (about 300,000 deaths annually). Children under five account for roughly 25 % of the victims, and mortality is also high among people over 70.

The eight recommendations are: swim at organized beaches, follow lifeguard instructions and flag signals; avoid entering water immediately after eating or drinking alcohol; enter gradually, especially in cold water; stay close to the shore and swim parallel to it; avoid diving in unknown waters; keep children within arm's reach even when using a flotation device; use a life‑jacket for activities such as canoeing or stand‑up paddleboarding; and, if caught in a current, remain calm and swim parallel to the shore until free.

To mark World Drowning Prevention Day, the Red Cross, together with the municipality of P. Falirou, will hold a large informational and educational event on Saturday 25 July 2026 from 09:30 to 13:00 at Edem beach (Tram Bati stop). Registration is available via an online form.