Open water safety plea as heatwave takes hold

A fire officer has called on the public to resist "bowing to peer pressure" and swimming in open water during this week's record-breaking heatwave.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service's Rob Berwick shared the message as the UK was expected to experience the hottest June day on record.

In recent days, North Northamptonshire Council's director of public health, Dr Jane Bethea, shared her concerns at reports that young people were swimming in dangerous areas of open water, after a number of fatalities during last month's extreme hot weather.

Berwick said: "It's really key to remember that the water temps do not rise and will still be very, very low."

Speaking at Sywell Country Park, he added: "It [open water] looks really inviting, it looks nice to go for a dip... but there are significant hidden dangers.

"We see that, especially for people jumping into the water, they can enter cold water shock. If you do, you would not be able to swim regardless of how strong a swimmer you think you are."

Risks of swimming in such conditions include cold water shock and unseen dangers such as strong currents or objects under the water that a swimmer could become tangled in, he added.

Anyone who sees a person in distress in the water is asked to call 999 immediately, and, if possible, use the What3words app to describe the exact location.

They are also advised to tell the person in the water to float on their back and if possible throw a buoyancy aid instead of entering the water themselves.

Temperatures of more than 33C (91F) are forecast across the county for much of the week, and have prompted closures and cancellations.

The Chester House Estate said it would close to visitors from Wednesday to Friday in light of the "exceptionally high temperatures".

Wednesday's Corby 5, part of the East Midlands Grand Prix of running events, has also been cancelled.

Organisers said they hoped to find a new date for the annual run, which started and finished at East Carlton Park.

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