“Stay safe in water” warning from fire chiefs

FIRE and rescue service chiefs are urging Warrington people to respect rivers, canals, ponds and lakes during Drowning Prevention Week.
Going for a swim in such waters can have deadly consequences, they say.
Every 20 hours in the UK a life is lost to drowning and hundreds more lives are changed forever due to suffering devastating injuries through near drowning.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people, particularly young children and teenagers, to respect the dangers of water.
Lynsey McVay, Warrington Service Delivery Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want people to enjoy swimming, however we also want people to do it safely. Sadly, each year people die swimming in open water.
“Firefighters and other emergency services also risk their own safety to rescue people who get into difficulties on our waterways. Our advice is to only ever swim outdoors as part of an organised open water swimming club. Don’t let a cooling dip be the last thing you ever do. Please
follow our advice to stay safe around water.”