South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is backing this year’s Be Water Aware campaign by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), by urging people not to enter its reservoirs.
Running from 22nd – 28th April, the campaign, which is also backed by Yorkshire Water, aims to raise awareness about the risk of accidental drowning and encourage considerate behaviour around bodies of water.
The latest figures indicate there were 226 accidental drowning deaths in 2022 across the UK with six taking place in Yorkshire (three in West Yorkshire, two in South Yorkshire, and one in North Yorkshire). 60% of all accidental drownings in the UK occurred inland, at reservoirs, lakes and river.
The NFCC campaign outlines that many people underestimate the risk of entering the water: Yorkshire Water see people entering its 130 reservoirs daily, despite warnings about the danger that reservoirs can pose.
With the effects of cold-water shock and unseen hazards like operating machinery and hidden undercurrents, even the strongest swimmers can get into difficulties.
Ade Parkin, Group Manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s Community Safety Department, said: “Open water can be incredibly dangerous if it is not treated with respect. Attending water rescue incidents can be incredibly traumatic for our crews and members of the public.
“It can be tempting to cool off but do you really want it to be the last thing you do?”
Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: “With the summer approaching, we’re expecting to see an increase in numbers of people wanting to swim. We know how dangerous it can be to enter open bodies of water, like our reservoirs, and would urge everyone to take note of warnings at our sites.”
Out of all 2022 accidental drownings, 40% of people had no intention of ever entering the water – slips, trips and falls were commonly the cause of these incidents.
“Water safety goes beyond choosing not to swim or paddle to cool off – it’s also about remaining vigilant around the water, particularly if you are looking after children. We are once again backing the NFCC campaign to raise awareness of water safety behaviours and measures.”
“If people see others in difficulty in the water, they should contact the emergency services on 999 as they are trained to deal with such events.”