Water safety warning for school holiday scorcher

Over 400 people die in the water every year in the UK, and firefighters are urging people to follow some basic rules to stay safe.

Officers say people should avoid open water, like rivers and lakes, because they may not always be aware of the danger it poses.

River flows can be unpredictable and water is often deeper, colder and faster than expected.

People should enjoy water safely in swimming pools or safer, specialist facilities instead.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue head of community safety Kevin Ronan, said: “It shouldn’t take tragedy to bring the issue of water safety to public attention, but recent cases from elsewhere in the country of people drowning in open water are another reminder of the dangers rivers, lakes and reservoirs can present.

“We regularly receive 999 calls in the summer about people getting into difficulty in water, so it's only a matter of time before someone’s safety is really put at risk unless people listen to our advice.

“It can be tempting to cool off in hot weather, but stick to a swimming pool.

“Hundreds of people drown each year in the UK and places like rivers, lakes or flooded quarries places are completely unsuitable for swimming as they hide a number of hidden dangers.”

The dangers of open water are:

- The water can be much deeper than you expect

- Rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs are much colder than you think

- Cold water dramatically affects your ability to swim

- There may be hidden currents, which can pull you under the water

- You don’t know what lies beneath, like pieces of rubbish or reeds which can trap or injure you..