Surrey Fire and Rescue warn of water dangers as temperatures soar

As the South East braces for soaring temperatures this weekend, Surrey Fire and Rescue is warning people to think twice before cooling off in rivers and lakes and to stay away from unsafe swimming spots.

Surrey's Group Commander Aaron Spencer, the Fire service’s Water and Flood Lead, said the hot weather and end of school exams are likely to bring large numbers of young people and families to the area’s open spaces.

"Open bodies of water, whether they are rivers, lakes or streams, all come with various hazards," he said.

"It may look inviting and it may be an ideal opportunity to cool down but these bodies of water have a lot of hidden risks, a lot of hidden dangers."

He explained that the depth of water can be unpredictable, and unseen hazards such as debris or strong currents could trap or injure swimmers. Locks and weirs in particular are "dangerous" and should be avoided entirely.

"Cold water shock is a big hazard and it is real. Even if you are a strong swimmer, cold water shock can have a massive effect on the body".

Parents are being urged to have conversations with their children about water safety and to steer them towards designated open swimming areas with lifeguard supervision.

"If a child came up to me and said 'I'm really hot, I want to go into the lakes,' I’d explain there are other ways to cool down: taking off a t-shirt, having a cool drink but I wouldn’t advise going into lakes or water unless it’s a designated area for open swimming with someone around, like a lifeguard," he said.

Alcohol around water is another major risk factor.

"One thing we say 100% is: do not involve alcohol and water. These are two catastrophic elements to bring together"

He also reminded the public of the RNLI’s "Float to Live" message, which can save lives if someone does get into difficulty.

"If you do find yourself getting into trouble, we advise that you float to live: on your back, head tilted back with your ears submerged, using your hands and feet to float better. Relax as best you can. Don’t worry if your legs sink- we all float differently."

Surrey Fire and Rescue sees "a lot of calls" every year for water rescues- including swimmers in difficulty and capsized vessels such as canoes and small pleasure crafts. Locks and weirs also pose risks for both the public and emergency responders.

He urged anyone who sees someone in trouble not to enter the water themselves, but instead to call 999. Many areas have safety buoys or rescue poles that can be used safely from the bank.

Spencer also highlighted the dangers of wildfires during hot weather and called on the public to avoid using disposable barbecues.

"Disposable barbecues have a massive impact on open spaces -they destroy a load of open spaces and particularly have an impact on wildlife and species in the area. What we’re asking people to do is pack a picnic instead, and take any litter home with you," he said.

Overall, Spencer notes: "We want you to go out there, enjoy the weather, make memories, have fun- but ultimately, please stay safe."