Home and Dry: Know the dangers of water this summer

As the hot weather continues, agencies across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire are urging people to be aware of the dangers of water. 

When temperatures reach or exceed 25c, there is a fivefold increase in the accidental drowning risk*.

With more than 300 accidental drownings a year across England, and the equivalent of a classroom full of children lost to drowning each year, it is vital people know what to do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

If you get into difficulty in water, remember float to live.

If you see someone in trouble in the water, remember phone, float, throw.

Open water can present many hidden dangers, from objects under the water, currents and the potential lethal impact of cold water shock.

88% of children who drowned were unsupervised. Make sure you know where your children or teenagers are, and that they are aware of the dangers. The RLSS UK’s toolkit is great to support you in having the conversation:  Get the 'Have The Conversation' Toolkit sent to your email

Superintendent Gareth Morgan for Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “One life lost is one too many. As the heatwave continues it’s essential people consider the risks, and ensure their children and teenagers are aware of the dangers. Please speak to your loved ones about water safety- there are many resources available to help with this. We will continue to work with partners to raise awareness of the dangers.”

Superintendent Edward Hancox for Shropshire and Telford said: “As the hot weather continues, we urge everyone to consider the risks associated with swimming in open water. Please take the time to speak with your family and friends about staying safe around water, particularly children and teenagers, who may be more likely to be attracted to rivers, lakes and reservoirs during warm weather.

“There are a range of resources available to help people understand the dangers and learn how to stay safe. We will continue to work closely with our partners to raise awareness of the risks and promote vital water safety messages to help prevent tragedies.”

Vicki Jones, mum to Tom who lost his life to drowning in Worcester said: “The water safety message remains all too important. Please talk to your loved ones about the dangers and encourage them to think about the consequences of decisions made. Anyone can drown but no one should when it is entirely preventable.”

Kirsty Walsh, ambassador for West Mercia Search and Rescue said: “Water safety is a cause very close to my heart. In 2017, I lost my husband, Shane Walsh. No family should have to experience that loss.

“As the weather gets warmer, please take a moment to learn and share the water safety messages from the Home and Dry campaign. Talk to your children, family and friends about the dangers of open water and what to do in an emergency.”

Station Commander John Elsworth from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Prevention department said: “Every year, lives are lost to the water, often in the blink of an eye, and when no one expected it. That’s why we’re working with our partners to change the story. 

“It starts with awareness, staying back from the edge, making safe choices, always staying together, and knowing what to do if the worst happens. If you find yourself in trouble, don’t panic. Lie back, keep your head above water, and float. This is more than a campaign. It’s about giving people the tools to get home safely.”

Cathy Williams, Prevention Officer for Road and Water Safety at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "With the hot weather here, it is tempting to cool down in Shropshire’s rivers and pools but following the heartbreaking recent tragedy in our local waters, we urge everyone to stay out of unmonitored open water.  Even on scorching days, deep water stays intensely cold and can trigger sudden, fatal cold water shock that can overwhelm even strong swimmers.

“If you see someone in trouble, remember the lifesaving rule: PHONE, FLOAT, THROW. Immediately phone 999 and ask for the Fire Service, tell the person to float on their back, and throw them a lifebuoy or line from the safety of the bank - never jump in after them."

Marcel LeCocq, Chairman of West Mercia Search and Rescue said: “Sadly, as temperature rises, we see more tragic loss of life due to the dangers of open water and cold-water shock. 

“Please share the messages of the risks around water with your family and friends. A few well-chosen words could save a life.”

Nathan Hazlehurst, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Manager at Worcestershire County Council said: “We are fortunate to have many beautiful open water spaces across Worcestershire. While it may be tempting to cool off during hot weather, open water can be extremely dangerous—even for confident swimmers.

“Tragically, lives have been lost after people entered open water during warmer weather. We continue to work closely with schools and partners to raise awareness of the risks and, during periods of extreme heat, local search and rescue teams will again be carrying out patrols at key locations to offer advice. We would urge everyone to make safe choices and follow safety advice to help prevent further, avoidable tragedies."

The Home and Dry campaign is backed by a number of partners including West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Search and Rescue, RLSS UK, RNLI,  Severn Trent Water, Severn Area Rescue Association and Worcestershire County Council. 

Collectively the campaign aims to encourage people to be aware of the dangers, and to develop and share educational resources to ensure water safety is embedded in people’s minds from an early age, preventing future tragedies.

For more information on the Home and Dry campaign visit: Home and Dry | West Mercia Police