THE RISKS of drowning have been highlighted ahead of scorching temperatures hitting Warwickshire.
Council leaders are urging people to keep safe in the water and learn what do in case of an emergency, with temperatures in the county set to reach 30ºC in the coming days.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, says casual swimmers should be aware of the risk of drowning when taking a dip in in local reservoirs, nature reserves, quarries, rivers, canals and lakes during the hot weather.
Last year, 277 people died as a result of accidental drowning, an increase in 23 deaths from the previous year.
People are being warned particularly of the risk of cold-water shock, one of the biggest causes of drowning. Even strong and confident swimmers can struggle and drown after jumping into cold and unpredictable water where temperatures can be as low as 15C in the summer – half that of typical swimming pools.
The warning comes ahead of the second annual World Drowning Prevention Day on July 2. This year’s theme is ‘Do one thing to prevent drowning’ and encourages people to share safety advice, take swimming lessons and support local downing prevention groups and charities.
Coun Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “In a heatwave, one of the first things people do is flock to their local bathing spot to cool off and what might look like a safe place to take a dip or have a swim could in fact be a danger.
“Councils want to make sure everyone is safe around water, which is why we are urging people to follow our advice to be careful and vigilant to the dangers.
“Our advice is to brush up on your water safety skills and always swim in water that is clearly marked as safe and under the control of a lifeguard. Swimming in unknown water could lead to tragic consequences.”
Local water supplier Severn Trent is urging people to stay safe this summer by staying out of its reservoirs – such as Draycote Water near Rugby – where strong currents, freezing temperatures and hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface can be dangerous.
Dan Taberner, Operations Manager for Visitor Sites at Severn Trent, said: “While we really want to encourage people to enjoy themselves in the lovely weather, we’d like to remind people to stay out of the water.
“We know how tempting reservoirs can look in the warm weather, but even on a hot day, the water will be extremely cold and even strong swimmers may find themselves in difficulty. We don’t have lifeguards on site or safe swimming areas, so we’d ask visitors to not take that risk.”
The company is also reminding people to consider how they use water during warm weather.
Recommendations include using paddling pool water to keep the garden looking green, switching off the tap while brushing your teeth, and cutting a couple of minutes from your morning shower to help avoid a surge in demand and ensure there is enough water for everyone.
Heather Hateley, Water Efficiency Manager at Severn Trent said: “We always see a big jump in demand for water when the weather hots up, so with temperatures expected to climb in the coming days, we want to remind customers to use water wisely to make sure there’s enough for everyone to do the essential things like drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
“With so many more people still working from home and the school holidays just over the horizon, loads of families are getting the paddling pools out and hooking up their hosepipes, sprinklers and pressure washers to get their gardens looking lovely. It’s these activities that can cause such a jump in demand so we’re asking everyone to reuse water wherever possible.”
Karen Gibbs, Senior Policy Manager at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said: “It’s important all of us use water wisely – whatever the weather – but particularly during warmer spells when our demand can soar and put extra strain on the network.
“Our research reveals that in the last six months two-thirds of us have not made an effort to use less water but there are lots of simple ways to save – whether that’s shortening our showers or opting to use a watering can rather than a hosepipe. These simple changes can ease the pressure on the environment and save us money too.”
Visit www.stwater.co.uk/our-visitor-sites for more information on Severn Trent’s visitor sites.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/3u6sa282 for tips on water saving.
