Petition calls for ban on children's coloured swimwear that is 'invisible' underwater
Katy Morton
Monday, June 24, 2024
The next government is being called on to make it illegal for clothing retailers to sell blue, white or grey swimear for children as the colours are virtually invisible underwater, according to experts.
Package holiday company On the Beach, supported by Olympian Rebecca Adlington and the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), have launched a petition urging the next government to carry out an ‘urgent’ review into the colour of children’s swimwear.
According to testing by colour experts, blue, white and grey swimsuits are pretty much invisible underwater, even just two metres below the surface. This means that if children run into trouble, it’s almost impossible to see them because of the lack of contrast under the light reflection. In contrast, swimsuits in pink, red or black can all be seen clearly under the water’s surface.
Research by On the Beach found that 66 per cent of children own swimwear in these colours, ‘unnecessarily putting their lives in danger’.
The petition states, ‘It is vital that the Government takes action now so children can been seen at all times in the water. Lives are at stake.’
Rebecca Addlington said, ‘I’ve swam my entire life and I’ve only recently become aware that there are certain colours that can’t be seen underwater. As a parent, I should have been aware of this sooner.
‘Alongside On the Beach, I’m urging the government to review the legislation around selling blue, white and grey swimwear to children. They must make sure retailers are being safe and looking after our children by not selling unseeable swimwear that could put them in danger.’
