The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is launching its latest Don’t Drink and Drown campaign from 21 to 27 September 2026, coinciding with Freshers’ and Welcome Weeks at universities across the UK and Ireland. The campaign encourages young people to look after their friends, avoid routes near water after drinking, and make sure everyone gets home safely. Under the message “Be a Mate”, it highlights how a night out can become dangerous even when nobody intends to enter the water.

The risks are significant. According to the Water Incident Database, 38 accidental drownings in England involved alcohol and/or drugs in 2025. Data from 2018 to 2023 also indicate that 46% of accidental drownings among 18 to 25-year-olds involved alcohol and/or drugs. Many incidents occur when people are simply walking alongside rivers, canals, docks or other waterfront areas. Alcohol can impair judgement, slow reactions and reduce physical coordination, making an unexpected fall into water particularly dangerous.

This year’s campaign uses the message “Stay Away from the Edge” to remind young people that the safest route home may not be the shortest one. RLSS UK is working with universities, fire and rescue services, lifesaving clubs and other organisations to reach students through freshers’ fairs, nightlife venues and social media. Its advice is straightforward: keep your group together, choose routes away from open water and help friends who may be vulnerable get home safely. If someone falls into the water, call 999, encourage them to float on their back and throw them something that floats rather than entering the water yourself.

Don’t Drink and Drown is a national awareness campaign with two dedicated periods in 2026. Following the September campaign for students, a second campaign from 7 to 12 December will focus on people celebrating during the Christmas season. The campaign offers practical water safety advice and materials that organisations can share to help prevent alcohol and drug-related drownings.

Find out more and explore the campaign materials on the RLSS UK Don’t Drink and Drown (UK, September 2026)