Water safety

ADVICE TO PREVENT DROWNINGS AS WARM WEATHER ARRIVES

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises people to think carefully before cooling off in rivers and lakes as the UK enjoys its first hot spell of the year.

In previous years, an increase in the number of accidental drownings has been seen during periods of warm weather.

Peter Cornall, Head of Leisure Safety at RoSPA, said: 

"Our advice is that it is best to swim at properly supervised sites, such as beaches, lidos or swimming pools, but we understand that not everywhere has a lifeguard, particularly inland water sites.

 "There are a number of things to consider if you are thinking about swimming outside this weekend. Because this is the first period of warm weather, remember the water will not have had a chance to heat up and it might be colder than you are expecting when you plunge in. There might also be hazards such as strong currents or rocks and other debris beneath the surface.

 "Think honestly about your swimming ability and remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix. And, particularly if you are taking children to an unsupervised location to swim, you should have the skills to assess the many water hazards and know what to do if anyone gets into difficulty."

 Follow the Water Safety Code and share it with children:

·         Spot the dangers - water may look safe, but it can be dangerous. Learn to spot and keep away from dangers.

·         Take safety advice - special flags and notices may warn you of danger. Know what the signs mean and do what they tell you.

·         Don’t go alone - children should always go with an adult, not by themselves. An adult can point out dangers or help if somebody gets into trouble.

·         Learn how to help - you may be able to help yourself and others if you know what to do in an emergency.

See www.rospa.com/waterandleisuresafety/ for more water safety advice.