North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a stark warning about the hidden dangers of open water swimming following 12 tragic deaths during the recent heatwave.
Tourists and residents in North Yorkshire have been reminded of the hidden dangers of swimming in open water after 12 deaths during the recent heatwave.
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service has issued a reminder of water safety advice following the fatal water-related incidents nationally amid the recent heatwave, most of which involved children.
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said:
“We know that on warmer days open water can look a tempting place to cool off, but it is full of hidden dangers.
“Hidden objects, vegetation and the coldness of the water can all impact your ability to swim safely back to shore.”
NYFRS’ water safety advice is:
- Don’t drink alcohol if you’re planning any water-related activities. Alcohol impairs judgement and your ability to swim
- Don’t dive or jump straight into open water; this can cause potentially fatal cold-water shock even on the warmest day
- Supervise children in and around water -drowning can happen fast and silently
- If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic; extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effects of cold-water shock pass. Find out more on the RNLI website https://rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water
- Before entering any water, know where the nearest safety equipment is located. Many areas now have safety equipment nearby in case of emergencies.
- Always look for information notices near open water that advise you of potential hazards
- If you see someone in trouble in the water, don’t enter the water yourself; call 999 and ask for the fire service if inland and the Coastguard if you are at the coast. Tell the person to float on their back and look around and see if there’s any rescue equipment nearby that you can throw to the person.
In recent days, a number of deaths resulting from water-related incidents have been reported in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire and Scotland.
Data published by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) on Wednesday showed 202 accidental water-related fatalities occurred last year.
The majority (57 per cent) occurred at inland bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, quarries and lochs.
A spokesperson for the NWSF said that while it is too early to say whether the number of water-related deaths during this heatwave is “unusual”, hot weather often correlates with a rise in accidental drownings.
Last year, the majority of incidents took place in August, the data showed.
According to the Office for National Statistics, 87 deaths in England and Wales were recorded as resulting from drowning and submersion in natural water in 2022, with 96 in 2023 and 73 in 2024.
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