A water safety awareness event took place at the Share Discovery Village in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh.

The event was organised by Claire Cossum of Cossum Swim School and held in memory of her father Des, who founded the school 30 years ago.

Emergency services, rescue organisations and water safety experts attended to provide information to children and adults.

Claire Cossum said the warm weather encourages people to take part in water activities they do not usually do and stressed the need for awareness of risks.

She said increased numbers of people staying in Northern Ireland for holidays and greater access to equipment such as paddleboards have made safety education more important.

Paddleboarding instructor Colin Lively said the sport has grown in popularity since the pandemic but that people often underestimate the risks involved.

RNLI water safety officer Peter Scott said education is effective in changing attitudes and helping people use proper equipment.

Beckie Ramsey, founder of the Doing it for Dylan campaign, spoke at the event and advised against entering the water to assist someone in trouble.

She said people should only swim where lifeguards are present and recommended floating on the back if falling into open water.

National Water Safety Forum data recorded 14 water-related fatalities in Northern Ireland in 2025.