Posted on Friday 9th August 2024
With warmer weather forecast over the weekend and into early next week, people are being urged not to cool off by swimming unsupervised in open water.
No matter how warm the day, large bodies of water stay very cold, with temperatures around 2 degrees celsius, and that can cause cold water shock, which can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness. Even the strongest of swimmers can find themselves at risk from the sudden change between air and water temperature and hidden hazards beneath the surface.
Staffordshire County Council’s Communities leader, Victoria Wilson is reminding people about the risks and explained that on a hot day, the water can look incredibly inviting but can also be extremely dangerous.
Victoria said:
“We understand that some people may be tempted to cool off by going for a swim but plunging into open water is completely different to swimming in a safe, controlled pool.
“Sadly, we hear far too often about people getting into difficulties swimming in reservoirs, lakes and quarries. We do want people to enjoy being near the water and the supervised activities on offer, when it comes to places such as Chasewater reservoir, but when it comes to swimming, be safe and please use public, supervised pools.”