I chaired the debate in Parliament on water safety, following the unprecedented numbers of deaths from drowning during the heatwave last month.
In just one week, 13 children and six adults lost their lives in open water, including 17-year-old David Tita Junior, who died in Pickmere Lake. It is believed cold water shock - what can happen to the body when entering cold water, including gasping for air, swallowing water, and a spike in heart rate and blood pressure - may have caused many of the deaths.
This week is Drowning Prevention Week, run by The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS). Its aim is to educate children and young adults about the dangers of open water, water safety and lifesaving skills.
I am proud to be supporting it.
Each year, on average, drowning claims the lives of more than 600 people in the UK. And 90 per cent of lives lost to drowning are in open water.
The RLSS wants everyone to "stop and think" before entering open water as swimming in rivers, lakes or the sea, can present unexpected challenges even to the strongest of swimmers. The water temperature remains very cold, despite sweltering land temperatures.
As part of its campaign, the RLSS are pushing the message “Float To Live”. Most people who get into difficulty (in water) panic and will thrash around. But experts say is vital a person rolls over on to their back. Not only does floating conserve energy it will buy the person in difficulty time for help to arrive.
Similarly, if someone witnesses someone else in trouble, the RLSS want people to remember “Phone, Float, Throw”. Call 999 and shout to the person to get on their back, before looking for anything to throw that could be used as a buoyancy aid.
The summer holidays are fast approaching, and more mini heatwaves are expected in the coming months.
We all need to play our part and remember these six words to save a life.
