Water safety warning

WATER SAFETY WARNING

Good afternoon Resident,

With the continuing hot weather and following a recent incident where a large group of children were reported to be swimming unsupervised in open water near Edgmond, we are issuing an urgent call for parents and carers to speak to young people about the dangers of entering unsupervised open water.

The warning also comes after several confirmed drownings in UK inland water over the bank holiday weekend. No family should have to experience losing a loved one in the water as it has a devastating impact on families, friends, communities and emergency responders, and serve as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with open water. 

While air temperatures may feel warm, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold enough to trigger cold water shock, which can affect breathing and movement within seconds. 

Emergency services often see an increase in call outs to water safety incidents as temperatures rise. People often underestimate the risks of open water which can look calm but often have hidden dangers such as submerged objects, hidden currents and sudden drops. Even the strongest swimmers in a pool may struggle if they are not experienced open water swimmers. 

We know that warm weather encourages people to visit rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but these places can be extremely dangerous. 

Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how confident they feel in the water. Jumping into open water can cause an involuntary gasp response, panic and loss of swimming ability almost immediately, which is why we urge people not to swim in unsupervised locations during this hot weather. 

We’re asking parents and carers to have open conversations with children and teenagers about the risks, and for young people to look after each other and make safe decisions around water. These incidents can happen very quickly, but many are preventable.” 

Water Safety Public Safety Advice:  

If you see someone else in trouble in the water this summer, remember Phone, Float, Throw:  

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, Float to Live by: