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🚨 Police Safety Alert – Open Water Risks in Warm Weather ☀️ With warmer weather across the area, we are seeing more people spending time near rivers, lakes, canals, and other open bodies of water. Whilst this is a great way to enjoy the sunshine, we want to remind everyone that open water can be extremely dangerous – even on hot days. Please take care and remember: ⚠️ Open water is unpredictable – strong currents, hidden hazards, and steep edges can pose serious risks.❄️Cold water shock can happen at any time – even in warm weather, sudden immersion can lead to panic, loss of breathing control, and drowning.🚫 Avoid entering the water after drinking alcohol – this significantly increases the risk of accidents.👨👩👧 Keep a close eye on children at all times – accidents can happen quickly and silently.🐕 Take care with pets near water edges – unexpected slips or jumps can put both pets and owners at risk.📞 In an emergency, call 999 immediately and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service If you fall into open water: Do not panic: The immediate shock of cold water will pass in roughly a minute. Do not fight it or swim aggressively right away.Float to Live: Tilt your head back, relax, and float on your back in a star shape.Call for help: Use your hands to scull or call out for help only after you have caught your breath and are floating. If you see someone else in trouble: Do not jump in: Never enter the water to rescue a person or a pet yourself; you are highly likely to become a second victim.Call 999: Call emergency services immediately and ask for the Fire & Rescue Service.Float and Throw: Tell the struggling person to float on their back, and throw them a buoyant object like a ball, branch, or throw line. For detailed advice and safety updates, you can check the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Water Safety Advice page or the latest alerts from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue on Facebook We urge everyone to act responsibly, look out for each other, and help keep our community to stay safe while enjoying the warmer weather. — Your Local Policing Team | 
