Stay safe this bank holiday
22/05/2026
As temperatures begin to rise ahead of the bank holiday weekend we are urging residents to enjoy the weather safely, particularly around our waterways and in preventing outdoor fires.
It can be tempting to jump into rivers and lakes to cool off; however, the water can often be colder than you are expecting and there can be hidden risks in the water.
Community Safety Station Commander Hannah Archdeacon said: “I urge parents to remind young people of the risks of swimming in open water. As much as it can look very tempting to go for a swim in a river, lake or other areas of open water, even if the weather is warm, the water can be so much colder than expected. This can cause your body to go into cold water shock, which can affect your ability to breath.”
Hannah continued: “If you do want to go swimming, I would recommend visiting one of the many public swimming pools located around the county.
“It’s important to remember that open water can be deeper than expected, with unseen hazards below the surface. Things like rubbish, shopping trolleys and rubble can be hidden beneath the murky water that can easily trap or injure someone. The water may also look calm on the surface, but there may still be strong undercurrents, especially near locks, that could pull even the strongest swimmer under.”
If you get into difficulty in water, you should “Float to Live”, by leaning back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat, and try to control your breathing. Once calm, either call for help or try and swim to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble near water, call for help immediately by dialling 999. Never try and carry out a rescue yourself as you could put yourself in danger too. You can try and find something to throw to them to use as a float or to pull them in if they are near to the edge and it’s safe to do so.
Continued hot weather can also present a greater fire risk as the ground will be dry, allowing fires to spread more quickly.
We would like to remind residents that fires starting outdoors can quickly spread to properties, causing extensive damage and putting lives at risk.
Taking a few simple precautions can make a significant difference in preventing incidents like this and keeping homes and communities safe as we head into the summer months.
If you are planning on having a BBQ during the warmer weather please keep it away from sheds, fences, trees and decking and off the ground. If you are thinking of gardening during the hot spells, please use your garden waste bin or a local recycling centre rather than having a bonfire.
We really want everyone to enjoy the outdoors safely this summer – and by looking out for each other and following the advice, we can all help keep safe.