Parents warned over dangers of swimwear worn by two-thirds of children
Parents are being warned to avoid certain colours of swimwear for their children this summer because they can’t be seen underwater.
According to new statistics, two-thirds (66%) of children wear blue, white or grey swimwear which is not visible underwater, meaning that if they get into trouble swimming, they are extremely difficult to spot.
Worryingly, blue is also the most popular colour of swimwear for children in the UK.
The study also revealed that 90% of parents didn’t know that certain swimwear colours are not visible underwater, while the same figure believed there should be more awareness on the subject.
Launching an online petition, backed by Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, the package holiday specialist On The Beach is highlighting the importance of swimwear safety.
They are also calling on the incoming government to review legislation around selling blue, white and grey-coloured swimwear marketed at children.
The company tested the most popular shades of swimwear at a depth of 2m to analyse which colours could be seen and blue, white and grey became almost invisible at the short depth.
Interestingly, despite being a competitive swimmer herself, Rebecca Adlington, OBE, says she was unaware of the dangers.
“I’ve swam my entire life and I’ve only recently become aware that there are certain colours that can’t be seen underwater," she explains. "As a parent, I feel like I should have been aware of this sooner.
"Alongside On the Beach, I’m urging the future government to review the legislation around selling blue, white and grey swimwear to children so that retailers are being safe and helping look after our children by not selling unseeable swimwear that could put them in danger.”
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, says she's concerned that so many retailers are potentially putting children in danger by selling swimwear that can’t be seen underwater.
“Either retailers aren’t aware of the dangers, or they simply can’t see past the fact that these colours are some of the most popular ones that keeps the cash rolling in," she says. "They need to do better by their customers and put safety before profits.”
The call for a ban on these colours of swimwear is backed by parents, according to the findings from On the Beach, 80% of parents believe that retailers should stop selling swimsuits for children that can’t be seen underwater.
UK Charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is in full support of On the Beach’s focus on water safety this summer.
"At the Royal Life Saving Society UK, it is our mission to ensure that everyone enjoys water safely," says Matt Croxall, RLSS UK's charity director. "We’re delighted that On the Beach is working hard to raise awareness of the importance of water safety."
The charity is urging parents to choose brightly coloured swimwear for their children while planning their holidays, rather than colours such as blue, white and grey, which are more difficult to see underwater.
"Brightly coloured swimwear makes it even easier to keep your child under constant supervision when playing and swimming in the water,” he adds.
On the Beach is hoping the petition launched this week will gain enough signatures and support from parents across the UK. According to a survey by the holiday company, more than three-quarters (77%) of parents said they would support the petition and the same percentage want the government to take action as soon as possible.
Why blue, white and grey is so hard to see in the water
Colour expert, Lee Chambers, says there are several reasons blue, white and grey swimwear is particularly difficult to see in the water including how the water interacts differently with certain wavelengths of light, how we perceive colour at depth when submersed, a lack of light reflection and how colour blends when underwater.
“The lack of contrast, disruption of outline and camouflage effect can all play a role in making swimwear in these colours difficult to discern, lack visibility and go unnoticed, a potential safety risk in comparison to colours that reflect light and have a sharper contrast,” he explains.
On the Beach is now urging parents to check their children’s swimwear before going on holiday this summer. They are encouraging parents to replace their children’s blue, white and grey swimwear with a brightly coloured option instead.
Colours of swimwear that can’t be seen underwater
· Blue
· White
· Grey
Colours of swimwear that can be seen underwater
· Pink
· Yellow
· Red
· Black
· Purple
· Green
· Fluorescent colours
Read more about hot weather safety
How to stay safe around water in the hot weather (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Can you float to live? Lifeboat crew share crucial tips for summer (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
How to stay safe in high heat and dry weather (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
