Ex-firefighter calls for open water safety warning

A retired firefighter has started a campaign urging social media companies to display safety warnings on videos featuring open water swimming.

Simon Carr, 57, from Ollerton in Nottinghamshire, said he had attended numerous water rescues during his 31 years working as a firefighter.

He has started an online petition, which he is hoping will reach 10,000 signatures, in order for the government to issue a formal response.

Social media giant Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, has been contacted for comment.

"I think people that post videos where they're getting into water, rivers, lakes, ponds, they're not intentionally trying to encourage children or influence children.

"Unfortunately, I believe this is happening," Carr said.

He said his aim was to stop young lives being wasted.

"I think for me life itself is very precious, especially in my view, when it's a young life. More should be done to stop these lives from from ending," he added.

In his petition, Carr has called for social media platforms to classify videos showing open water swimming as dangerous and carry warnings, as other harmful content does under the online safety act.

There have been several water-related deaths during the hot weather in the UK this year in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Kent, Oxford, Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Farnborough and Scotland.

A government spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones in these recent tragic incidents.

"The National Water Safety Forum will publish their new Drowning Prevention Strategy this month and we will continue to engage with their vital work to help keep people safe in and around water."

The RNLI, which has run its own Float to Live campaign, said: "We recognise the genuine concern that has informed this petition – and the importance of reaching young people with water safety advice in a relevant, targeted way.

"While social media platforms have a role to play, it needs to be part of a wider, joined-up approach addressing the many factors that lead to drowning tragedies.

"This includes action across education, awareness, safer places, rescue equipment and national coordination."

The petition closes on 26 December.

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