Emergency services issue warning about open-water swimming in the East Midlands
It is after a number of fatal incidents across the country
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue have told us they are concerned about people swimming in open water in the East Midlands, after a number of fatal incidents across the country.
They have published some advice for parents to share with their children as temperatures continue to climb in the region.
When will it cool down?
It comes as parts of the region could see highs of 30 degrees celsius this week as well as the half-term holidays getting underway.
Temperatures will return to near-normal by Sunday and there will be an increased chance of showers, according to the MET Office.
Nic Lacey from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said: "If you know your child is going swimming please discourage them from doing so, unless it is a public pool."
Incidents across the country...
Police forces in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire and Devon and Cornwall were all called out to separate fatal incidents over the bank holiday, involving four teenagers and one man in his 60s.
It has led the RNLI to warn of the “very real risk” of swimming in open water during the heatwave.
The charity said that while temperatures have hit record highs for May, water temperatures remained low and this could lead to cold water shock.
Elsewhere, Nottinghamshire Police have issued a statement after more than 100 people visited Holme Pierrepont in Rushcliffe over the bank holiday weekend.
Inspector Tim Cuthbert, neighbourhood inspector for Rushcliffe, emphasised the risks:
"It's going to remain very warm and sunny this week and people will obviously want to be out and about enjoying the start of summer."
'Lives at risk'
"People will want to be keeping cool, but jumping into open water puts yourself and other people's lives at risk."
"The Trent and other rivers and canals around Nottinghamshire may look incredibly enticing, but you won’t know the dangers that lurk beneath the surface."
"There are no lifeguards. You don’t know how deep it is, or what’s in the water."
'Cold water shock'
"You could get tangled up in the weeds, land on a discarded shopping trolley, and hurt yourself."
"Even with the hot weather, the water could still be cold causing you to go into cold water shock."
"No matter how strong of a swimmer you believe you are, or if your mates are jumping in, or you’re following a trend on TikTok and egging each other on – remember the dangers."
'Not worth the risk'
"I'd also urge people not to be a bystander. If you see anyone putting themselves at risk, tell them they could get seriously hurt."
"Please enjoy the good weather but don’t go jumping or swimming in open water, it’s really not worth the risk."