⚠️ PLEASE STAY SAFE AROUND OPEN WATER ⚠️

With the warmer weather, we know many people will be heading outdoors to enjoy rivers, lakes, pools and reservoirs. While open water may look inviting, it can be extremely dangerous — even for strong swimmers.

Sadly, recent tragedies across the country are a heart-breaking reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.

Cold water shock can affect anyone within seconds, causing:

❄️ Difficulty breathing

❄️ Panic and disorientation

❄️ Muscle cramps and exhaustion

❄️ Sudden loss of strength

Hidden currents, deep water, submerged objects and steep edges can also pose serious risks.

We are urging everyone, but particularly young people, to think carefully before entering open water areas that are not designated for swimming.

Please:

✅ Stick to supervised swimming areas

✅ Never jump into unknown water

✅ Avoid swimming alone

✅ Keep away from reservoirs, quarries and fast-moving water

✅ Call 999 immediately if someone is in trouble and ask for Fire & Rescue

Enjoy the sunshine, but please don’t take unnecessary risks.

A few moments of excitement are never worth a lifetime of heartbreak.