The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A safety warning has been issued to South Holland residents about swimming in waterways in a bid to keep cool during the searing temperatures.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s ‘water aware’ campaign will highlight the dangers of swimming in uncharted territory. Officers are encouraging parents, with the school holidays under way, to advise their children to stay safe when they’re near water.
Darren Stones, water rescue specialist at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, explained that there are a number of unknown hazards in the area’s waters.
He said: “With temperatures rising, people may be tempted to cool off with a swim in the local river, canal lake or reservoir.
“The water may look really inviting, but underneath the surface there can actually be lots of hazards – bikes, shopping trollies, for example.
“A quick dip can quickly turn into a disaster, especially as you won’t know how deep the water is or how strong the currents are that can drag you away from the bank.
“Even when the sun is shining the water is likely to be cold and can tire the most experienced swimmers.
“Apart from the risk of drowning, taking a plunge in unclear water could make you seriously ill and, in some cases, can be fatal.”
According to the Chief Fire Officer’s Association, around 400 people on average drown in the UK every year.
