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World Drowning Prevention Day

On World Drowning Prevention Day, let's raise awareness and promote safety measures to prevent tragic accidents in the water. Stay safe and swim smart!

Saturday

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJuly 25

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to make a splash on World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25! This important day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to raise awareness about drowning as a preventable public health issue. Did you know that drowning is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially among children? But the good news is that it can be prevented through simple measures such as learning how to swim and practicing water safety. So let's come together and celebrate this day by spreading awareness and promoting safe swimming practices for everyone.

TIMELINE

World Drowning Prevention Day Timeline

Establishment of Lifesaving Societies

In the 19th century, the first organized efforts to prevent drowning began with the creation of lifesaving societies in countries such as the UK.

Formation of International Life Saving Federation

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) was established to coordinate drowning prevention efforts across the globe.

WHO's Global Drowning Report

The World Health Organization recognized drowning as a serious international health issue and produced its first Global Report on Drowning.

UN Recognizes Drowning Prevention

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution acknowledging drowning as a key public health concern worldwide and initiating World Drowning Prevention Day.

UN Aims to Reduce Drowning Deaths

The United Nations launched an ambitious initiative with the goal of reducing drowning deaths by 50% by 2030.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Drowning Prevention Day

Host a water safety workshop

Invite a local lifeguard or swim instructor to lead a workshop on water safety. This can be a fun and educational way to celebrate World Drowning Prevention Day.

ORGANIZE

Organize a charity swim-a-thon

Gather friends and family to participate in a swim-a-thon to raise money for a drowning prevention organization. This is a great way to have fun while also supporting an important cause.

Share water safety tips on social media

Use your social media platforms to share important water safety tips and statistics to raise awareness about drowning prevention. You can also encourage your followers to share the information with their own networks.

ATTEND

Attend a CPR training course

Being trained in CPR can save lives in the event of a drowning incident. Sign up for a CPR training course on World Drowning Prevention Day to learn this important life-saving skill.

ORGANIZE

Organize a beach clean-up

Beaches are a popular location for summer activities, but they can also be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Show your support for drowning prevention by organizing a beach clean-up to keep these areas safe for everyone.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why World Drowning Prevention Day is Important

It promotes safe swimming practices

On World Drowning Prevention Day, organizations and individuals come together to promote safe swimming practices such as learning how to swim, using life jackets, and supervising children around water. These efforts can help prevent accidents and keep people safe while enjoying water activities.

It raises awareness about drowning prevention

World Drowning Prevention Day serves as a reminder to people around the world about the importance of water safety. By bringing attention to this issue, it educates individuals and communities on how to prevent drowning incidents and the proper precautions to take when near bodies of water.

It helps save lives

Drowning is a preventable tragedy that claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. By creating a designated day to focus on drowning prevention, we can bring more attention to this issue and potentially prevent future deaths. This can make a significant impact in reducing drowning rates worldwide.