Irish Water Safety (IWS) is calling on primary school teachers to give children the skills they need to prevent drowning.

In the 10 years to the end of 2014, 37 children in Ireland aged 14 and under drowned and IWS is warning people that the summer can be a particularly dangerous time, as half a million children are on holidays from school.

As children are naturally curious about water, parents are being encouraged to check if their child's primary school has introduced IWS's primary school curriculum, which teaches children how to stay safe around water.

"Much of the programme is easily delivered as it is classroom based yet many primary schools have yet to deliver this training. With just weeks to go before primary schools close, there is still time for teachers and parents to teach essential life skills to keep children safe from drowning," IWS said.

It emphasised that people, especially children, can drown ‘quickly, silently and sometimes in only inches of water'. Currently in Ireland, an average of 11 people die from drowning every month.

"They can drown beside others who are completely unaware. Children are particularly at risk and need constant supervision near water," IWS said.

It is urging people to follow these steps:
-Learn swimming, survival and water rescue skills
-Swim at lifeguarded zones (these are listed on www.iws.ie). Swim in view of lifeguards and always follow their advice
-Swim within your depth in case of cramp
-Beware of currents
-Swim in daylight, not in darkness
-Pay attentions to signs on the beach
-Avoid swimming in unfamiliar places
-Always supervise children even if they can swim
-Be aware of water temperature to avoid hypothermia
-Swim parallel and close to the shore
-Do not use inflatable toys in open water
-If boating or fishing, wear a lifejacket with a crotch strap
-Never swim alone.

IWS is highlight water safety among children as part of Water Safety Week, which runs until June 26.